Washington, August 18 — At least 18 employees of Microsoft were arrested after a protest inside the company’s campus took an unexpected turn on Sunday. Police officials said the group was taken into custody on charges of trespassing and malicious mischief after they allegedly entered restricted areas and splashed red paint on walls and property.

According to authorities, the incident disrupted normal operations at the campus, forcing security to intervene quickly. While no injuries were reported, officials confirmed that the protest caused visible damage and created panic among other employees present at the site.

Local media reports suggest the demonstration may have been linked to employee dissent over certain corporate policies, though Microsoft has not officially commented on the reasons behind the protest. The arrested individuals were taken to a nearby police station and are being processed under local laws.

Witnesses described the protest as sudden, with participants chanting slogans before using paint as a symbolic act. Police teams reached the spot soon after, ensuring the situation did not escalate further.

Investigations are underway to determine the exact motivation behind the protest and whether more employees were involved. Meanwhile, Microsoft is expected to release an official statement in the coming days.