News Center- On March 16, 1978, a massacre took place in Beyazıt, main campus of the Istanbul University. The university was attacked with a bomb and gunfire, killing seven students and injuring 41 students.

Before writing about this massacre, we should write about what had happened in Turkey. Turkey entered 1978 with the government of Bülent Ecevit. The most discussed issue in 1978 was the economic crisis and its effects on people. The clashes between leftist and rightist groups made the living conditions even more difficult. The chaos caused by the attack on the Taksim Square on leftist demonstrators on May 1, 1977 spread everywhere. Everyone was a target in Turkey suffering from an unnamed civil war.

 

Universities blockaded by fascists and police

Universities were the places for the most violent clashes. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) terrorized many places by using the Grey Wolves. The fascists at the universities did not allow the revolutionary students to enter the schools, and prevented them from studying and acting together. The fascists were supported by police at the universities. The witnesses of that period say that many universities and faculties were occupied by fascist groups. After a while, the revolutionary students united and managed to enter their universities by fighting.

Revolutionary students managed to enter their universities; however, they received threats. They acted together in order to protect each other. On March 15, 1978, a fascist group attacked the students of the Istanbul University by using stones and sticks with the support of police. On March 16, there was a change at the university that attracted everyone's attention. The police officers at the university were changed. Their commissioner was Reşat Altay, whose name was mentioned in the murder of Hrant Dink.

 

The university was attacked with bomb

At 13.45, the university was attacked with a bomb. The fascists threw a bomb by chanting the slogan, “Beyazıt will be a grave for the Communists”. After the bomb attack, they opened fire on the revolutionary students. Five students were killed there while two students died at hospital. 41 students were injured in the attack. Seven students killed in the massacre are: Hatice Özen, Cemil Sönmez, Baki Ekiz, Turan Ören, Abdullah Şimşek, Hamit Akıl, Murat Kurt.

 

Statute of limitations

 Just after the massacre, police officers who wanted to go after those who carried out the massacre, were prevented by Reşat Altay. Zülkif İsot, one of the perpetrators of the massacre, confessed to carrying out the massacre; however, he was killed by unknown persons before standing trial. 17 people stood trial on charges of carrying the massacre. One of them was Sıddık Polat. He was sentenced to 11 years in 1980; he was released on appeal in 1982. On October 20, 2008, the Istanbul 6th High Criminal Court dropped the case due to the statute of limitations.