On April 25, 2025, police used excessive force to detain 30 people during a peaceful student-led demonstration.
Students from Bilkent University, Middle East Technical University, Ankara University, Gazi University, TED University, and Hacettepe University organized the protest to demand the government release Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and the Republican People’s Party’s candidate for the 2028 presidential elections. They planned to march to the Ministry of Justice building under the banner of “Youth is standing up for its future.”
As the protesters moved towards the ministry, police announced that the gathering was illegal and began forcibly detaining the protesters. Video footage posted on social media shows the police using force, including dragging people by their clothes across the ground. In total, police detained around 30 people, including 28 students, a lawyer, and a journalist. A video posted on X shows police dragging two people by their clothes across the ground. According to the Progressive Lawyers’ Association, several detainees were denied access to legal counsel for hours, and many reported sustaining injuries during their detention.
Police released 22 students shortly after their detention; seven were placed under judicial supervision, and four were arrested on charges of violating the law on meetings and demonstrations.
The protest came amid nationwide demonstrations that began on March 19 following the arrest of İmamoğlu on factually baseless charges of corruption. University students have played a large role in the protests. By April 18, more than 2,000 individuals had been arrested, with 189 people, most of whom are university students, facing a range of charges, including attending an unauthorized demonstration and not obeying police orders to disperse; carrying weapons or covering their faces to conceal their identity; and incitement to commit a crime.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force by police and the arrests of peaceful student protesters. While state authorities have an obligation to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of students and university personnel and should endeavor to prevent disruptions that inappropriately inhibit the functioning of or access to higher education, they must do so consistent with their responsibility to ensure academic freedom and free expression on campus. The punishment of nonviolent student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.
Sources:
https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/04/26/ankara-police-use-excessive-force-to-detain-30-in-anti-govt-protests-over-erdogan-rivals-arrest/
https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/04/28/4-students-arrested-after-police-violently-disperse-ankara-protest-over-mayors-detention/
https://dogruhaber.com.tr/ankara-valiligi-duyurdu-yasa-disi-eylem-yapan-30-kisi-gozaltina-alindi
https://x.com/Haber/status/1915849670166794752
https://www.haberhurriyeti.com/haber/24747379/kadin-miydi-erkek-miydi-polemigine-ankara-valiliginden-aciklama-erkekti