Turkish police clash with students protesting Erdogan-appointed university rector

Turkish police forces have clashed with students who gathered outside one of the country's top universities to protest against the appointment of a political figure as the facility's new rector.

Police forces scuffled with protesters outside Bogazici University in the city of Istanbul on Monday, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed Melih Bulu as the university’s new head by presidential decree.  

The move, which took place on Saturday, provoked angry protests at the entrance to the campus with students saying that the process was undemocratic and chanting, "Melih Bulu is not our rector" and "We don't want a state-appointed rector”.

Video footage showed protesters clashing with police. A number of students, who were able to enter the campus, sealed one of the university's buildings.

Bulu, a candidate standing for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during the 2015 general and local elections, is the first rector chosen from outside a university since a military coup in Turkey in 1980. He has a doctorate in business management.

In a statement shared on social media, Bogazici faculty students said they do not accept this appointment, stressing “it clearly violates academic freedom and scientific autonomy as well as the democratic values” of their university.

AKP spokesman Omer Celik has denied the appointment is a blow to academic freedom, saying "Every academic, like every person, is entitled to their political opinion”.

MG