Türkiye lambasts US over detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, demands release

Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson, Omer Celik, defended Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, who was recently detained by U.S. authorities for her support for Palestine.

Speaking at a press conference, Celik condemned the accusations leveled against Ozturk and stressed Türkiye’s firm stance against antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Ozturk’s detention resulted in a reaction from Türkiye’s political parties across the spectrum.

‘Her alleged crime is opposing genocide in Palestine’

AK Party Deputy Chair and Spokesperson Omer Celik issued a strong statement condemning Ozturk’s detention during a press conference.

“Rumeysa Ozturk’s alleged crime is opposing the Israeli genocide in Palestine. We are closely following the issue. There is manipulation emerging in international media language. This is the identification the Zionists use to cover up their own crimes,” said Celik.

“We have stated repeatedly: we are against both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Opposing these genocide activities is equivalent to defending human values. Our president has expressed this clearly on many international platforms for many years and shares it with all stakeholders at every opportunity. Labeling those who oppose genocide as antisemitic, as in the case of Rumeysa, is to cover up genocide,” he added.

CHP leader condemns detention, calls for action

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel also strongly criticized the detention. In a social media post on X, he said:

“I strongly condemn the detention of Turkish student Rumeysa Ozturk, who studies at Tufts University in Massachusetts, for writing an article criticizing Israel, the Palestinian atrocities, and her university’s silence about those atrocities.”

He continued: “The world is becoming increasingly unlivable due to the madness of leaders who say, ‘I did it, so it’s done.’ Rumeysa, who was detained in the U.S. just for writing her opinion, and hundreds of students in Türkiye who were unjustly and mercilessly arrested for peacefully protesting the March 19 democracy crackdown, share the same victimization.”

“I call on the government to immediately act to ensure Rumeysa’s release and continuation of her studies under the Trump administration and to also free students in Türkiye who are imprisoned just for demanding democracy. End this cruelty!” he said.

Ozturk’s detention and the allegations

Ozturk, who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities, is accused of supporting Palestinian groups, including Hamas, a charge her family and advocates strongly deny.

According to reports, her detention took place in Boston as she was heading to an iftar dinner during Ramadan. The allegations arose after Ozturk co-authored an op-ed criticizing Israel’s actions in Palestine.

Hundreds of people gathered in Massachusetts on Wednesday to protest the detention of Ozturk,.

The protest was organized by the “Palestine Liberation Coalition” activist group, with demonstrators calling for Ozturk’s immediate release.

Carrying signs reading “Free Rumeysa” and “We Stand with Rumeysa,” the protestors gathered at Powder House Park, demanding that the Turkish student be freed.

Türkiye closely monitors detention of Ozturk by ICE

The Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC, said in a statement Wednesday that it contacted the US Department of State, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant authorities.

“The situation of our citizen Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained in Boston, USA, is being closely monitored, and her family is regularly informed,” the embassy stated. “Every effort is being made to provide the necessary consular services and legal assistance to protect the rights of our citizen.”

DHS claims Ozturk engaged in ‘unauthorized activities’

In a social media post on X, the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said, “Rumesya Ozturk is a Turkish national & Tufts University graduate student granted the privilege to be in this country on a visa. DHS and ICE investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans.”

“A visa is a privilege, not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for the visa issuance to be terminated. This is common-sense security,” she concluded.