Turkish Tufts Student Detained by Federal Agents, No Charges Filed

Rumeysa Ozturk, a 30-year-old Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained by federal agents in an incident that has raised significant concerns over due process and civil rights. The arrest occurred as Ozturk was leaving her home in Somerville to join friends for iftar, a meal marking the end of Ramadan fasting, and was captured on surveillance video showing masked agents handcuffing her and taking her phone. Her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai, stated there have been no charges filed against Ozturk, and the university reported that it had no prior knowledge of the detention. The incident has drawn criticism regarding the treatment of international students and potential violations of free speech, particularly as it follows Ozturk's involvement in a critical op-ed about Tufts' stance on Palestinian issues. A federal judge has ordered the government to provide an explanation for her detention by Friday, further escalating the scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices in the U.S. Ozturk, a former Fulbright scholar, has garnered support from her academic community, who describe her as a peaceful individual.