students who were on trial for “demonstrating despite restrictions” at Boğaziçi University.The court decided to acquit the defendants separately on the grounds that the elements of the crime charged against them did not occur.According to the indictment prepared by Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, 12 students “unfurled LGBT flags” and marched on March 25, 2021, to protest against Melih Bulu, who was appointed as the rector of the university.The students reportedly did not disperse despite the police’s warnings that there was a decision to restrict meetings, demonstrations and statements within the scope of “COVID-19 measures.”They were asked to be imprisoned from six months to three years for the crime of “participating in illegal meetings and marches and not dispersing despite warnings.”Students began their protests saying the appointment of Bulu as rector was undemocratic.Bulu was dismissed from his post by a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on July 15, 2021.
