Following the METU administration's decision to reduce the traditional spring festival to two days and deny permission for the use of the Devrim Stadium, METU students initiated the 'The Festival Cannot Be Without the Devrim Stage!' protest which led to the opening of an investigation against the students.
The METU Rectorate launched an investigation into students who held prolonged protests in front of the rectorate building on the Devrim stage, citing these actions as the reason. The METU Rector requested suspension penalties ranging from one month to one semester for nearly 100 students who participated in the festival protests.
Investigation and penalties for students
During the 'The Festival Cannot Be Without the Devrim Stage!' protest held between April 24 and May 5, the rectorate initiated two types of investigations against METU students who gathered in front of the rectorate building despite the bans, set up stands and tents, and kept watch in solidarity, citing various grounds. Students identified as being in front of the rectorate building during the initial days of the protest, as well as during marches and demonstrations, were referred to the disciplinary board with a request for suspension penalties ranging from one week to one month on the grounds of 'disrupting the operation and peace of higher education institutions'.
In the following days of the protest, an investigation was launched against students who set up stands and tents in front of the rectorate building and kept watch, with a request for a one-semester suspension penalty on the grounds of 'engaging in acts that obstruct the services of the institution through actions resembling an occupation of higher education institutions'.
News Source: Birgün
