Indictment Prepared in ODTÜ Concert Altercation; 21 Face Up to 73 Years in Prison

An indictment has been prepared against 21 individuals, including six who are currently detained, in connection with a physical altercation that occurred during an İlkay Akkaya concert at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara. The incident, which took place during the university's Spring Festival, was widely reported as an "attack on the Turkish flag."

Prosecutors are seeking a total of up to 73 years in prison for the 21 defendants. The charges include "demeaning symbols of state sovereignty" and "simple bodily harm." The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office completed its investigation into the incident, which occurred approximately three months prior to the indictment's preparation. The 9-page indictment names 21 defendants and 7 complainants.

According to the indictment, the defendants denied the charges, stating they did not attack the flag or the opposing group. However, prosecutors assessed that the suspects "carried out acts of attack and injury against the group holding the Turkish flag." The indictment alleges that these actions constituted "demeaning the Turkish flag, a symbol of state sovereignty," and causing bodily harm.

Specifically, prosecutors requested up to three years in prison for 11 defendants for "demeaning symbols of state sovereignty." For another 10 defendants, they sought up to four years in prison for "demeaning symbols of state sovereignty" and "simple bodily harm." The indictment has been sent to the Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance for review.

The incident at the ODTÜ Spring Festival involved two student groups, one displaying a Turkish flag, leading to a physical altercation. While the event was framed in public discourse as an "attack on the Turkish flag," student groups and youth organizations from ODTÜ claimed it was a provocation against the Spring Festival and the "Devrim Yürüyüşü" (Revolutionary March), using the flag as a pretext.