Turkey's foreign ministry on Thursday dismissed international criticism of its response to the month-long protests at one of the country's top universities, warning that such criticism could encourage what it called illegal acts.
Students and teachers at Istanbul's Bogazici University have protested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of Melih Bulu, an academic and former political candidate, as rector. They say the process was undemocratic.
The rector has vowed to hold his ground and not give in to demands to quit.
"We warn certain circles (abroad) not to use language provoking groups that resort to illegal ways and encourage illegal actions," the Turkish foreign ministry said Thursday without naming specific countries.
"It is nobody's place to intervene Turkey's internal affairs," it said in a statement.
The United States on Wednesday said it was concerned by the detention of students and other demonstrators.
The United Nations Human Rights Office also called for an end to excessive use of force to students and protesters.
