University students detained over link to attack on ISIL protesters

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Tension is running high in Istanbul University's Faculty of Science and Literature. DHA Photo

Police have detained three students who are allegedly sympathizers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at Istanbul University. The detentions come after a quarrel between rival student groups at the university early on Oct. 1.

Police teams and a TOMA were dispatched to the university after the unrest, detaining three students who were reportedly wearing black hats and masks during the clashes.

The three people were reportedly among those who attacked the students who had opened a stand at the university to denounce the brutality of ISIL on Sept. 26.

The detained students were taken to the Istanbul Police Department’s anti-terror office for interrogation after undergoing health checks at the Haseki Research and Training Hospital.

Police have seized three sticks, two black hats and black fabric, which was used to cover their faces, from the students.

The detainees shouted “We are Muslim students” and “Long live Muslim students” while being taken to the police station.

Tension has been high at the university’s Faculty of Science and Literature after a masked group of jihadist sympathizers attacked protesting students last week with sticks studded with nails and tore down a placard that read “ISIL, get out of the Middle East.”