TEHRAN The principle of the Medical College of Van University was expelled because of holding rallies against the banning of Islamic dress code in Turkish universities. Professor Dorson Odabash was dismissed because he had taken part in demonstrations in November. A top higher education official of Turkey said Odabash was dismissed because he tried to disturb the order of the university by abiding by a certain ideology.

The cases of 19 other professors on similar charges are under consideration.