Police intervention against METU students

A police intervention took place in the middle of the night at Middle East Technical University (METU) after students sat on the grass inside the campus and sang songs. 9 students were detained in the raid carried out by police teams.

Student protests, which have been ongoing on campuses in recent days with demands for rights, justice, freedom, and democracy, continue at METU as well. While university students have been organizing protests in many cities following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, METU is at the forefront of these locations.

CHP Ankara Deputy Aylin Yaman and CHP Ankara Provincial Chair Ümit Erkol also reacted to the police intervention, which took place around 02:00 at night against students who were peacefully singing songs on campus. The CHP officials, who went to the area where the intervention occurred, expressed their support for the students.

STUDENTS' BELONGINGS WERE ALSO TAKEN

CHP's Aylin Yaman, in her statement at the scene, stated that the police entered the campus like a "dawn operation" and used the following expressions:

"We came here with news of a raid. The students informed us that their protest, which they were continuing by sitting and singing songs, ended with a police raid at 02:00 at night. We do not accept the police intervening in an area with this many students in this manner. It is stated that even though the students were conducting a peaceful protest, their tents were demolished and even their personal belongings were collected. Computers, bags, and even wallets are missing. METU is a symbol of resistance. We support the students in exercising their constitutional rights. The rector, who is responsible for the campus, must explain as soon as possible under whose instructions the police entered here."

ALLEGATION THAT 'UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION CALLED THE POLICE'

CHP Ankara Provincial Chair Ümit Erkol, in his statement regarding the police intervention, stated that there are allegations that the police entered METU at the invitation of the university administration. Stating that the students were subjected to police intervention without any warning, Erkol used the following expressions:

"According to the information reaching us, it is said that the police entered the campus at the call of the university administration. The students state that they did not receive any warning from either the administration or the police. Calling the police without any warning, which is also contrary to academic traditions, is unacceptable. A banner hung for the 50th anniversary of the Mountaineering Club is being shown as the justification for the intervention. We hope that the detained students will be released without an investigation being opened against them. We will be following the matter."

News Source: 12punto