Erdogan likens students to terrorists, condemns Bogazici rallies
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likened protesting students to terrorists in a speech Wednesday, condemning ongoing demonstrations over the appointment of a government-linked rector to Istanbul’s Bogazici University.
ISTANBUL — Ongoing student-led protests that have seen more than 300 people detained this week were denounced by several top Turkish officials Wednesday. In some of his most heated remarks on the demonstrations yet, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likened protesting students to terrorists, saying state officials would not tolerate the escalating unrest that has sparked sometimes violent rallies in a number of Turkish cities.
"Are you students or terrorists who dare to raid the room of the rector?" Erdogan asked during a videoconference Wednesday, referring to demonstrations at Istanbul’s Bogazici University Monday, when students rallied near the government-appointed rector’s office to call for his resignation.
Since Jan. 4, students have been protesting the appointment of Melih Bulu by Erdogan to head Bogazici University, one of Turkey’s top educational institutions. Protesters claim Bulu, a longtime member of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party, was undemocratically installed as school rector on Jan. 1 and his appointment infringes on academic independence.
Over the last month, demonstrations have grown, drawing support from students at other universities, and police forces quelled rallies in Istanbul Tuesday with tear gas and rubber bullets after governor’s office issued a protest ban. Images on social media showing protesters being violently detained by police drew an outcry from some Turkish citizens and several opposition party members, who said a disproportionate security intervention had escalated mostly peaceful rallies.
