A virtual storm of outrage has broken out on social media following an alleged racist attack on a Kurdish Alevi student at Koç University in Istanbul. The incident, which took place about a month ago, has gained widespread attention after a report by Halk TV brought it to the fore.
The victim, identified as F.B., reportedly suffered a harrowing ordeal at the hands of his two roommates. The attacks, detailed in social media posts by lawyer Alper Sarıca, included being beaten with a belt, injured with a sharp object and having a hot iron pressed to F.B.’s face. The assailants have allegedly faced no consequences, while F.B. received disciplinary action, was unable to take exams, and was advised by the dormitory manager to suspend his education temporarily.
In an account of F.B.’s experience, Sarıca highlighted the targeted harassment that F.B. had suffered solely because of his Kurdish-Alevite identity. He stated: “This student shared that one of his roommates constantly harassed and insulted him for being ‘Kurdish and Alevi’. Eventually, after calling the university security, the other roommate was incited to try to kill him”.
The alleged attempted murder resulted in serious stab wounds to F.B.’s face and stomach. F.B. managed to escape by setting off the fire alarm and hiding in the bathroom. He was later taken by ambulance to hospital.
The person who attempted the murder and then accused F.B. of sexual assault after the incident was reportedly released without charge, while F.B. was burdened with weekly reporting requirements and a suspension from the university.
Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), addressed the incident and attributed the increase in such attacks to the current political climate. He stressed the urgency of solving the problem in order to “prevent fascism from being fed”.
“These systematic attacks on differences come from today’s political mindset, which promotes uniformity,” Bakırhan said in a social media post.
The incident has sparked public criticism of Koç University, particularly as details of the attack spread on social media. Suspending the student who was assaulted and taking no action against the attackers led to widespread condemnation among social media users and the general public. The hashtag ‘Koç University’ has been trending on social media, reflecting the growing concern and demand for accountability in the case.
