ANKARA, 4 February, 2021 (TON): Turkey rejected the international criticism of its crackdown on the students’ protests and warned the countries to back off of its internal issues.

Weeks ago, the students and faculty members of the Bogazici University protested on Melih Bulu’s appointment as the head of the university and called for Bulu’s resignation as the university’s rector and for the university to be allowed to elect its own president.

The government’s loyalist academic, Bulu once ran for parliament as a candidate for Erdogan’s party.

Some of the protests have erupted into clashes between police and demonstrators and hundreds of people have been detained, some taken away following raids of their homes, even as Erdogan has promised reforms to strengthen democratic standards.

Turkey’s handling of the protests, as well as inappropriate remarks by Erdogan, were criticized by the officials of the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union.

On Thursday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement defending the Turkish security forces’ actions, saying there were attempts by terrorist organizations to infiltrate and provoke the protests.
“We recommend that those who attempt to give our country lessons in democracy and law turn the mirror on themselves,” the ministry said. “No one has the right to attempt to intervene in Turkey’s affairs”.

Tensions arise when the students detained over a poster displayed at Bogazici University.
The students were arrested over the weekend on charges of inciting hatred and insulting religious values.
European Parliament legislator Nacho Sanchez Amor also expressed concerns over the police violence and mass detentions and asked, “Does this reflect the new positive agenda and the will of reforms?”

The Interior Ministry announced Thursday that police detained a total of 528 people over the protests, of which 498 have since been released. Of those in custody, at least 22 people have links to terrorist organizations, said ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli.

Turkey’s response to the international criticism reflects a strong stance and a powerful answer to the world not to question it and intervene in the country.