Türkiye actively working to secure release of citizen Rumeysa Ozturk detained in US
Rumeysa Ozturk, Turkish PhD student at Tufts University, was detained by ICE in the US due to her pro-Palestinian activities. (Collage by Türkiye Today team / Photo via X / Screengrab from CCTV)
Türkiye is actively working to secure the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish citizen who was detained in Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli announced on Saturday.
The government is providing all necessary consular and legal support to the 30-year-old PhD student.
“We are continuing our efforts for the release of our citizen Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained in the U.S. Our Embassy in Washington and the relevant consulates general are providing all kinds of consular services and legal support,” Keceli said.
Consular visit to detention center
Ozturk, a Fulbright scholar, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Tuesday near her home in Somerville, Massachusetts, while on her way to an iftar dinner.
The arrest occurred following her involvement in a campaign by Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website that targets pro-Palestine activists, because of an article she wrote in 2024 criticizing Israel.
On Friday, Türkiye’s Consul General in Houston visited Ozturk at the detention facility in Louisiana, where she was being held. Keceli confirmed the consul general conveyed Ozturk’s requests to local authorities and her lawyer.
“The Consul General of Houston visited our citizen at the detention center in Louisiana yesterday. Our citizens’ requests and demands have been forwarded to local authorities and her lawyer,” Keceli said. “Our Houston Consul General will visit her again today.”
Legal developments in case
Ozturk’s case is currently being reviewed by a U.S. federal court.
On Friday, a Massachusetts federal judge blocked her deportation, pending a ruling on her habeas corpus petition. The court decision delays her removal until further legal proceedings are made.
“Her case is under legal review, and we will continue our support in line with the legal processes,” Keceli added.
Visa revocation, US criticism
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Thursday that Ozturk’s student visa had been revoked. Rubio justified the revocation by stating that the visa was issued for educational purposes, not for political activism.
“We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist who tears up our university campuses,” Rubio said.
However, he did not provide any evidence linking Ozturk to any violent activities. The revocation of her visa and subsequent detention have drawn significant attention, with some questioning whether political views influenced her treatment.
Türkiye’s stance on arrest
The Turkish government has expressed its dismay over the arrest, stating that it is working to ensure that Ozturk’s rights are upheld under international law.
Turkish officials have also criticized the involvement of external organizations, such as Canary Mission, in the legal actions against Ozturk.
“While we respect the legal processes, we also expect that international norms and our citizens’ rights will be respected,” Keceli added.
