Dismissal decision in harassment case overturned by court

A new development has occurred in the harassment investigation that began at the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty of Political Sciences following complaints from students. Lecturer Olkan Senemoğlu, who was dismissed from his position by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) on April 24, 2026, has been reinstated by court order following his lawsuit for a stay of execution.

According to allegations reflected in the file, the process began when a student identified as G.N.I. filed a criminal complaint against Senemoğlu with the Çanakkale Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The student stated that during the remote education period, when no one else was in the classroom, Senemoğlu invited her to his office, and she accepted the offer thinking the class would continue there.

According to the student's statement, Senemoğlu said he had received training in psychology and dream interpretation, stating, "You seem to have a problem. I have received training in psychology and dream interpretation. If you want, you can tell me about the events you have experienced and your traumas."

According to the allegations, Senemoğlu then told the student, "You don't seem to be in a good mood today, let's go to the mountains and fields just the two of us. Let's lie on the grass and commit some sins." It was reported that the student left the office upon hearing these words and alleged that she was harassed a few days later when he put his hand on her shoulder during class.

YÖK DISMISSED HIM, COURT GRANTED STAY OF EXECUTION

During the investigation process, the university administration suspended Senemoğlu, and YÖK initiated a disciplinary process. According to information in the sources, it was also determined that a separate investigation was being conducted against Senemoğlu for the crime of publicly denigrating religious values.

The same file also contained information that Senemoğlu had received suspension penalties three times in 2018 and 2019 following complaints from 38 female students. As a result of the investigation, YÖK terminated Senemoğlu's employment.

Following the dismissal decision, Senemoğlu filed a lawsuit for a stay of execution against YÖK at the Çanakkale Administrative Court. In the case, which concluded last week, the court issued a stay of execution, also taking into account some student statements given in favor of Senemoğlu.

It was stated that YÖK has appealed the decision. Following the court's ruling, it was reported that some students at the faculty were uneasy and decided not to attend classes in the new academic year.

How can we attend the class of a teacher who harassed us, whom we filed a complaint against? How can a professor with such a dark record, who was fired for this crime 3 times in the past, be reinstated?

The report also alleged that the Court President S.A., who signed the stay of execution decision, was recently preparing to teach a master's course in the field of "Administrative Judiciary Practices" at the same faculty's Department of Political Science and Public Administration.

The process is expected to continue with YÖK's appeal and the course of judicial and administrative investigations.