The replacement of the rector of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU) in the capital city of Bishkek has led to a crisis between the governments of Turkey and Kyrgyzstan as Turkey insists on keeping in office the incumbent rector, who is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son, the Serbestiyet news website reported.
KTMU, established in Bishkek in 1997, is governed by a board with equal representation from both countries. The Kyrgyz members of the board expressed their desire to replace its current rector, Alparslan Ceylan, who has served in the position since 2020. However, Turkey remains firm in supporting Ceylan for another term.
According to Serbestiyet, Ceylan’s close relationship with Erdoğan’s son, Bilal Erdoğan, is a key factor in Turkey’s insistence on retaining him as rector. Ceylan previously led the Traditional Sport Branches Federation of Turkey and participated in several events organized by the World Ethnosport Confederation (WEC), headed by Bilal Erdoğan. Ceylan and Bilal Erdoğan famously arm-wrestled at the Ethnosport Cultural Festival in 2016, ending the match in a 1-1 draw.
In October 2023 Bilal Erdoğan visited KTMU for a sports event organized by the WEC. A day after the event, Erdoğan and Ceylan appeared together on Manas Television for a special broadcast.
Serbestiyet said Ceylan allegedly accuses Kyrgyz board members of the university who oppose his reappointment of being affiliated with the Gülen movement, inspired by Muslim cleric Fethullah Gülen.
The movement is accused by the Turkish government and President Erdoğan of masterminding a failed coup on July 15, 2016 and is labelled a “terrorist organization,” although the movement denies involvement in the coup attempt or any terrorist activity.
The rector appointment issue has caused a deadlock between the two countries. As the controversy remains unresolved, the appointment of a new rector for the next four years, which was expected to take place on August 13, was delayed for over a month, leading to administrative issues at the university. Despite the deadlock, Ceylan remains listed as rector on the university’s website.
Turkish Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Ahmet Sadık Doğan reportedly met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in an attempt to secure Ceylan’s reappointment. However, Japarov allegedly rejected the proposal, saying the matter had been closed on their end.
Kyrgyzstan was one of the countries President Erdoğan pressured to crack down on groups linked to the Gülen movement following the failed coup. The rendition to Turkey of Kyrgyz-Turkish educator Orhan İnandı by Turkish intelligence in 2021 due to his links to the Gülen movement led to days-long protests in Kyrgyzstan.