Egyptian police fired teargas at protesting students at Cairo’s al-Azhar University on Wednesday, Oct. 30, hours after authorities announced the detention of Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam El-Erian, part of a crackdown against the Islamist movement.

Erian, deputy leader of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, was taken into custody from a residence in New Cairo, a suburb on the outskirts of the capital, where he had been in hiding, an interior ministry source told Reuters.

Police detain students in al-Azhar university after a student protest in Cairo October 30, 2013. Egyptian police fired teargas at protesting students at Cairo’s al-Azhar university on Wednesday hours after authorities announced the detention of Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam El-Erian, part of a crackdown against the Islamist movement. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

At the al-Azhar University’s main campus, students smashed windows, hurled chairs and covered walls of an administrative building with graffiti.

“Sisi is a dog. Down, down with the lord of the army,” one protester scribbled, referring to army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July.

One police officer yelled: “Arrest anyone you see. Bring me those kids. If you see anyone just arrest them right away.” Over 20 students were arrested, according to two security sources.

Students at Egypt’s top institution for Islamic teachings have demonstrated for weeks in support of Morsi, who was toppled by the army after mass protests against his rule.

The deputy prime minister said in a statement that the government was committed to reconciliation. He accused the Brotherhood of undermining efforts to resolve political turmoil.

“Those who are until now rejecting or stalling any understandings aimed at achieving reconciliation and stability for the Egyptian people are the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood,” Ziad Bahaa El-Din said.

Brotherhood officials, of whom many are either jailed or on the run, were not immediately available for comment.