Students who participated in İmamoğlu protests in Kocaeli face dormitory expulsion

Kocaeli University students Ramazan Erbilgin and Umut Nejat Dinçer have been expelled from the Gazi Süleyman Paşa KYK Dormitory on the grounds that they participated in protests held following the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu. The students stated that this decision was not communicated to them in writing.

It was learned that a disciplinary investigation was launched against Ramazan Erbilgin, the son of CHP Party Assembly Member Hikmet Erbilgin, and Umut Nejat Dinçer, a national wrestler and Beşiktaş J.K. athlete. The official notification sent by the District Directorate of Youth and Sports stated that the expulsion penalty was approved in accordance with the decision of the dormitory disciplinary board.

The notification sent to the students stated that the decision was approved by the General Directorate of Credit and Dormitories on November 6, 2025, and was sent to their MERNIS addresses in accordance with the Notification Law. It was emphasized that the students have the right to appeal within seven days from the date of delivery of the notification.

CHP Youth Branches Central Executive Board Member Özlem Ünal stated in her remarks regarding the incident that the students were punished unlawfully. Ünal said, "Students who expressed their democratic reaction on March 19 were expelled from KYK dormitories without written notification. This attitude aims to break the determination of young people to struggle. The right to housing cannot be usurped; we will not remain silent against this lawlessness," she said.

Following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, some students who participated in the protests held in Kocaeli were taken into custody. Kocaeli University administration had launched disciplinary investigations against 32 students upon a letter received from the police.

News Source: 12punto