Turkish President Erdogan Orders Closure of Liberal Private University in Istanbul

Central News Agency, Istanbul, May 22. According to the Turkish Official Gazette, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the closure of a prominent private university with liberal leanings in Istanbul during the semester today.

AFP reported that Erdogan's order was published in the Official Gazette, revoking the operating license of Bilgi University. The university has over 20,000 Turkish and international students, and some of its researchers are renowned in their fields.

The order cited legal provisions stating that private institutions can be closed if their "educational and training standards are insufficient."

After the Turkish parent company operating Bilgi University was embroiled in money laundering and tax fraud investigations, the university has been under the control of a court-appointed administrator since last year.

Bilgi University was founded in 1996 and is known for its liberal school culture. It participates in the EU's Erasmus exchange program and hosts many European and other international students every year.