VIDEO: Mass Protests in Van, Authorities Use Water Cannons and Tear Gas

Residents of Van province in Turkey have taken to the streets despite a ban on protests. They are opposing the cancellation of the mandate for the newly elected mayor from the pro-Kurdish Dem party.

After some time, the protests in Van escalated as demonstrators began throwing stones at the police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas.

Abdullah Zeydan from the pro-Kurdish Dem party was elected as the mayor of Van following the local government elections held on March 31. However, the provincial election commission annulled Zeydan's mandate, accusing him of having ties with the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The mayor's position has now been taken by the candidate from the ruling Justice and Development Party, Abdullah Arvas, who came in second in terms of votes.

Rallies began on the afternoon of April 2, with unrest breaking out at night. Turkish authorities have banned protests in the provinces of Van and Bitlis from April 3 to 17.