Students’ homes were raided in the morning of January 5, the day after they participated in the protests against the appointment of a trustee rector to Boğaziçi University. The students’ lawyers stated that 17 university students have been detained for now but the warrant list may include further names. It is claimed that there is an arrest warrant against 28 students according to some news outlets. It is alleged that the investigation against the students was initiated by the Security Branch and they are accused of violating the Law on Demonstrations and Meetings No. 2911.

Boğaziçi Solidarity announced that they have friends who have been detained and asked the new trustee rector Melih Bulu to release information on where their friends are being detained (#ArkadaşlarımızNerede, #WhereAreOurFriends).

Students are shown as a target 

Videos of students’ reactions to the police preventing them from entering university during the protests held yesterday were shared by trolls in social media. These accounts target students by mobilizing online hatred against the protests. At the same time, the video of the students recorded while dancing a traditional halay accompanied with  the protest song “Ellerinde Pankartlar” (Banners in Their Hands) by Ruhi Su were also shared with the aim of presenting the students as “terrorists.”

What happened?

Melih Bulu was appointed as the rector of Boğaziçi University with a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on January, 2. On January 4, students gathered in front of the South Campus gate of Boğaziçi University and chanted “We do not want the Trustee Rector!” after the call of Boğaziçi Solidarity. Thousands of students gathered at the protest, and although police repeatedly attacked the protests, the students did not disperse. After the protest, Boğaziçi Solidarity  announced the students’ decision to continue to boycott the classes on January 5th and to take action again in front of Boğaziçi University on January 6th.