Students were seen dancing during protests against strongman Erdogan in Turkey.

Footage shows the pair through the streets while others play violins at Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara on March 26.

The filmer said: 'This is how METU was before the 30 detentions.'

A significant number of student activists attempted to march and gathered near the gates to deliver a press statement about the tension on the same evening.

Demonstrators were halted by police officers who allegedly used pepper spray, water cannons, and plastic pellets.

This event was part of a larger wave of anti-government protests in Turkey, which have intensified after the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on what many believe to be politically motivated corruption charges.

Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a key political opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was detained just days before announcing his presidential candidacy.

Prosecutors charged him with corruption and supporting a terrorist group, labelling him a 'criminal organisation leader suspect'.

Turkish authorities reportedly detained more than 340 protesters on Saturday night following demonstrations in dozens of cities. Around 16 officers were reportedly injured, with Erdogan calling the protests 'street terrorism' and 'vandalism'.

Presidential elections are scheduled for 2028. Erdogan, who is currently serving his second term and previously served as prime minister, cannot run for office again at this time.

Erdogan would need to amend the constitution or call an early election before the end of his current term to contest another election.