Security guards physically intervened against students who wanted to give collective defense during the cafeteria investigation in Boğaziçi.

The protests against the increase in cafeteria fees at Boğaziçi University gained a new dimension with the disciplinary investigations initiated by the university administration against the students.

Students, who reacted to the increase in meal fees to 85 TL for the third time in the same year, distributed free meals in the cafeteria on October 5. Following the action, an investigation was launched against some students on allegations of "occupation" and "theft".

According to the information Cumhuriyet obtained from the students, university students who went to Hamlin Hall to give their defense today wanted to present their defense collectively. Private security guards physically intervened against the students who wanted to enter the investigation room together. It was claimed that many students had bruises on their bodies.

THEY WANTED TO ENTER THE DEFENSE TOGETHER

In the report dated October 6 prepared by Boğaziçi University Protection and Security Branch Directorate, it was claimed that approximately 120 people gathered in the cafeteria at 17:00 on October 5, and after reading the declaration, the students went behind the food distribution counter and distributed free food. It was also claimed in the report that students started to get food by jumping over the turnstiles or passing through them.

Following the report in question, the university administration approved the opening of a disciplinary investigation on October 7. It was decided to conduct an investigation against the students on allegations of "acting to disrupt the functioning and peace of higher education institutions", "obstructing the university's services through occupation and similar acts" and "committing theft". In the letter dated October 26 sent to the students within the scope of the investigation, he was asked to be present in room 309 in Hamlin Hall III at 10:40 on November 9 and give his defense.

In the article, it was stated that the student could submit a written defense as well as exercise the right to oral defense. According to the information Cumhuriyet obtained from the students, university students who wanted to present their defense together came together in Hamlin Hall today. Police and private security guards intervened when the students wanted to enter the investigation room en masse.

"YOU ARE BLOCKING THE SERVICES"

Students made a statement in front of Hamlin Hall after the physical intervention and reacted to the university administration accusing them of obstructing services. Students said, "Those who accused us of obstructing the service closed the cafeteria's doors to the students and smuggled the food through the back door."

Drawing attention to the accommodation and education conditions at the university, students stated that the dormitories were closed, the library was demolished, but a new one has not yet been built. Students criticizing the university administration used the following statements in their statements:

"You are obstructing the services. Those who accuse us of theft, you are siphoning the school's budget with the foundations you established. You are making the bosses rich by paying 350 TL for those poor quality meals, you will be held accountable."