Turkiye's Erdogan shuts Istanbul Bilgi University seized by state in criminal probe

Turkiye has revoked the operational licence for Istanbul Bilgi University, effectively forcing it to close, according to a decision published in the Official Gazette on Friday, after the university was seized by the state in a criminal investigation last year.

President Tayyip Erdogan signed off on the decree to revoke the licence of Istanbul Bilgi, which has more than 20,000 students from both Turkiye and abroad, with some of its researchers renowned in their fields.

As grounds for the move, the edict cites a law allowing for the closure of a private institution if “the expected level of education and training… is insufficient”.

Istanbul Bilgi University was established in 1996 and bought by Can Holding in 2019.

Can Holding’s companies were seized by the state as part of a money laundering, tax evasion and organised crime investigation last year. A trustee was appointed to run the university following last year’s seizure.

Bilgi is known for its liberal politics, takes part in the European Union’s Erasmus exchange programme and welcomes many European and international students every year.

Turkish media says students will continue their studies at the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, the Istanbul Bilgi University’s guarantor school. A guarantor school is legally required for all foundation universities and must be a state university.