ODTU

Anti-terror police teams raided several apartments this morning, detaining students who protested PM Erdogan during Göktürk 2 satellite ceremony at ODTU on Tuesday evening.

Police forces term the action “DHKP/C operation” in reference to the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C).

Reaction of the CHP (Turkish main opposition party, member of the PES, Party of European Socialists):

“I protest strongly the brutal use of police force against students yesterday in Ankara and the subsequent detention of nearly a dozen students on terrorism charges.  The disproportionate and widespread use of force by the police on orders from the Government against students who are only exercising their right of assembly and protest is unacceptable and inexcusable. The Government is at the same time violating the right of our citizens to education, by putting students in prison rather than having them in the classroom.   Human rights and basic freedoms are under attack in Turkey.  As the party that introduced multi-party democracy to Turkey, CHP will again stand up and defend democracy against its detractors” said CHP Vice-President Faruk Loğoğlu.

Police Brutality in the University Campus

Barış Barışık, remains in serious condition in hospital after being struck at close range by a police gas canister.

Prior to Erdogan’s arrival, approximately 3,000 police officers and 8 armored intervention vehicles were deployed on campus.

“Police was casting tear gas bombs at students every 30 seconds. They were even attacking harshly as students were retreating. Police might be seeking  revenge from previous student protests,” ODTU Professor Ferdan Ergut told.

“Professors gathered on the steps of University President’s Office until police left campus at 7:30 pm.”

While several students were reported injured from the tear gas, an exact number has yet to be announced. Many trees on university campus were affected from the fire caused by tear gas bombs.

According to CNN Türk, tear gas smoke spread to the campus area where classes were held. Dozens of students have been photographed vomiting and fainting.

“We recommend all students who have been subject to police brutality tonight to visit our office for alternative medical reports to file a lawsuit,” Human Rights Foundation of Turkey announced on Facebook.

“No Classes, if Police is Here”

No Classes, if Police is here

Student groups and professors protest police brutality in the campus

Police brutality in the ODTU campus has drawn widespread condemnation, including reaction from ODTÜ’s rector. One student, Barış Barışık, remains in serious condition in hospital after being struck at close range by a police gas canister.

Several unions and alumni association of ODTU have called for a boycott yesterday with their slogan “No Classes, if Police is Here”. The groups said ODTU students and professor would boycott their regular classes today and attend an open lecture held by activist ODTU professors following a press conference yesterday.

In Adana province, many student groups aiming to march towards AKP headquarters became subject to police brutality with plastic bullets and tear gas, leaving dozens wounded.

In Mersin province, university students gathered on the steps of the university president building to raise their voices.

In Eskisehir province, Turkey’s largest campus city, police put barricades and cast tear gas bombs on hundreds of protestors by the Anadolu University entrance. Students who managed to reach the university building were reported assaulted by private security staff and their demands to meet the university president were rejected.

Similar protests occurred at university campuses in Izmir, Trabzon and Kocaeli.

Police Raids Apartments, Detains METU Students

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Today authorities said detained students who have been charged with assault on police and violation on protest and gathering regulations, were not allowed to meet their lawyers due to ongoing operation.

A list of detained students included Mert Atmaca, Mustafa Bozkurt, Hasan Koç, Hüseyin Koç (readers of Kaldıraç magazine), İlhan Aslan (Socialist Democracy Youth), Can Kaya (Hacettepe University), Cem Dursun, Batuhan Demirci (Youth Federation), Güven Kazım Altunkaya, İlhan Şen, Sercan Çınar (METU Mountain and Winter Sports Club) and Bedirhan Şen.

Police raid has been executed according to Article 10 of Turkey’s Anti-Terror Act by the order of Chief Prosecutor Sadık Bayındır, who previously prosecuted medical students for terrorism charges.

Can Kaya who has been detained this morning, stood trial on a previous prosecution in Hopa case.

Following the raids, several student groups and activists announced protests in Ankara and Istanbul.

* ODTU students announced a protest walk scheduled at 4:30 pm.

* Many students in Istanbul agreed to meet in Taksim Square at 5 pm for a protest walk.

* Another group announced to make a statement on the steps of Prime Ministry in Ankara at 6 pm. Many students decided to head to ODTU following the statement and not leave campus until their friends’ release.

This article has been partially compiled from the news sources: Cumhuriyet daily, Vatan daily, A.A. Sendika.org, Biane, sendika.org and muhalefet.org