Boğaziçi students battered, forced out of campus as rector restricts entrance

Photos: Melisa Elçin Özçelikel/bianet

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Boğaziçi University's appointed rector Melih Bulu restricted the entrance to the campus, citing security and health reasons, while students gathered under a tent they set up in front of the campus.

Campus gates were locked and police set up barricades around the school on Saturday (July 3). Students and academics continued to stay in front of the South Campus.

Police separated academics from students, who then headed towards the North Campus.

After police battered students in front of the North Campus, academics also went there for support.

Then the students read out a statement and were about to disperse. However, police officers battered them again because they were "blocking the road."

Meanwhile, students who had been keeping a watch on the campus since Friday night were forced out of the school by private security guards.

The students had to leave their belongings on the campus and waited for hours to get them back.

Private security guards also searched students' bags. Lawyer Levent Pişkin, who had come to the campus to give legal support to the students, took a statement down.

About the campus gates being locked, police officers said, "The rector has the same authority as a district security director. Only the interior minister or the governor can give him instructions." (MEÖ/RT/DŞ/VK)