In December of 2012, a group of students at Middle Eastern Technical University (METU) had held a demonstration to protest then Prime Minister Erdoğan while he was visiting their campus to attend a meeting at TÜBİTAK-Space in regards to the launching of Göktürk-2 satellite.

Having gathered in front of one of the campus buildings, protesting students had wanted to march to the TÜBİTAK-Space building on their campus. Their demonstration had been blocked by the police who used tear gas and water cannon against the students.

As skirmishes and clashes began between the police forces and the students, several additional police units were transported to the campus.

According to the reports of soL news portal, Ankara 14th Penal Court of First Instance has ordered the final decision on the case against the protesting students. The court has sentenced each of the 45 students to 10 months in jail based on charges on ‘going against the law on meetings and assembling’ and on ‘resisting against public officers in order to prevent them from doing their jobs.’

Lawyers of the sentenced students have defended their clients by asserting they were not guilty of a crime and requested for their release.

Source: http://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/45-odtu-luye-hapis-cezasi-128742.html