University students tricked into attending AKP festival under guise of a 'trip': Forced to cover their faces
It has been alleged that some university students in Kocaeli were taken to a stadium to attend an AKP Youth Branch 'Youth Festival' under the promise of a 'trip,' without being given clear information about the program's content. The incident became a hot topic following the sharing of images and messages on social media. Some students were seen covering their faces while cameras were filming.
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Students in KYK dormitories in Kocaeli were invited to an event via a WhatsApp invitation, with promises of a trip and a concert. It was stated that students needed to fill out a form to attend the event. The announcement in question claimed that a "Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University trip" would take place and that four artists would perform.
However, upon arriving at the stadium, the students realized they were attending a "Youth Festival" organized by the AKP Youth Branch, which was different from what they had expected.
While some students stated that they only learned the event was a political party organization once they were at the stadium, they began sharing messages of reaction in WhatsApp groups following the incident. Some of the participants tried to hide their faces when the cameras panned to the stands while the program was being broadcast live.
In response to the reactions directed at the students, AKP Devrek Youth Branch President Anıl Taha Sıvacı replied by saying that the announcements included the word concert, stating, "No one told you this program was a trip." Sıvacı also claimed that the event was a youth festival, not a rally.
According to the allegations that have emerged, it was claimed that some students were kept waiting in the stadium since the morning hours and were not allowed to leave the area. AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was scheduled to attend the program in the evening.