Protesters attacked Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election bus in Hopa, Artvin province, on Tuesday May 31, critically injuring a policeman who fell from the top of the bus after being hit by a stone.

Tensions ran high in Hopa before and after Erdogan's rally. Protesters threw stones at the bus carrying Erdogan, the leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), following the rally he held in the district. Security forces fired in the air and used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. A policeman who was on top of the bus lost his balance, reportedly after being hit by a stone, and fell down. The police officer was immediately hospitalized and is reportedly in critical condition.

Tension was also high in Cumhuriyet Square, the venue of the rally, in the morning before the rally. Police clashed with protestors, who gathered in the square to protest Erdogan. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, Today’s Zaman reported.