Tokyo, Oct 25 (IANS): Fights broke out on Sunday among Turkish residents in Japan's capital Tokyo as they waited outside the embassy to cast their votes ahead of Turkey's upcoming general elections.
At least 12 people have been injured, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Tokyo police said the first scuffle broke out at 7.00 a.m. while people were lining up in front of the embassy for advance voting scheduled to start at 9.00 a.m.
Sporadic fighting continued. Some people were seen exchanging blows. By then, about 600 people had gathered at the embassy. The authorities restricted traffic in the area and deployed riot squads.
Police said Kurdish and Turkish groups clashed over a flag flying near the embassy, but what caused the scuffle is still unclear.
The general elections in TUrkey are scheduled for November 1.