Police justified their intervention by saying that the local anti-war group had not obtained prior permission for the demonstration.

Footage broadcast on NTV showed police kicking fleeing protestors and hitting them with batons and shields.

Eighteen demonstrators ran into the local offices of the governing Justice and Development Party and locked themselves in a room, NTV said.

They agreed to come out after an hour following negotiations with police, and were immedietaly taken into custody.

SPACE.WIRE