Erdogan Party Member nominated Rector, Students Step Out on the Road

Turkish police forces have clashed bitterly with hundreds of students in Istanbul who had come out on the streets to challenge President Erdogan's decision to appoint a Bosphorus University rector, a member of his party.

The performance escalated into violence and police forces used rubber bullets against students. Many were arrested.

Students say that with the appointment of Meliha Bulun at the helm of the university, Erdogan wants to take over the institution of higher education and restrict academic rights. They demanded that the university be able to independently elect its leaders.