Evidence should come before accusation. A circulating graphic portrays Prof. Dr. Bilal Semih Bozdemir as someone who merely “calls himself” a professor and dean, while placing his name alongside Canan Yılmaz and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a headline implying a possible “major scam.” Caucasus Science Journalism reviewed the parts that can be independently checked.
What do the institution’s current official pages say?
The official St Clements University Group website currently states, in its Turkish Institute section, “The Dean is Prof Dr Bilal Bozdemir.” Its Management Council lists “Prof Dr Bilal” as “President of Turkish Language Division.” The official St Clements University T&C page separately identifies “Campus Director — Dr. Bilal Semih Bozdemir” under the Turkish Centre.
Readers can perform the central check directly: St Clements University Group and St Clements University T&C.
Primary appointment records add historical context
A retained Certificate of Appointment records that Dr. Bilal Semih Bozdemir “has been appointed Dean of the St Clements University Campus – Turkey” and describes the position as directly responsible to the University Board for administration of Campus–Turkey. Separate records document an Assistant Professor of Psychology appointment dated 1 December 2012 and a Full Professor of Psychology appointment dated 20 March 2019.
The 2025–2026 record addresses continuity
An Authority Certificate effective 1 September 2025 identifies Bozdemir in the Turkish Institute structure as Authorizing Person / Dean and records specified operational functions. Communications dated 10 November 2025 from St Clements University President Dr. David Le Cornu confirm that the listed functions were functions Bozdemir performed. A 29 May 2026 Certificate of Appointment separately records his appointment as the University’s Representative in Turkey, while a 18 June 2026 Letter of Authority describes institutional, academic, administrative, verification and communication functions within a defined scope.
Scope matters: these records do not establish unlimited authority. They do not, by themselves, grant independent power to issue academic awards, transfer University assets, alter governance documents or create unrestricted financial liabilities.
Does the “major scam” implication carry evidence of comparable weight?
In the screenshot reviewed for this report, the serious criminal implication is not accompanied by a final court judgment, prosecutorial finding, official investigation result or comparably verifiable record. Framing a criminally suggestive headline as a question does not remove the reputational impact or the need for evidence.
Canan Yılmaz is not a target of this report
This report makes no criminal or adverse allegation against Canan Yılmaz. Prof. Dr. Bilal Semih Bozdemir has stated that he regards Yılmaz as an honest and trustworthy friend and makes no adverse allegation against her. The title attributed to Yılmaz in the circulating graphic is not independently endorsed here without an official source; however, a title-verification question is not evidence of fraud.
Hakan Fidan’s name does not establish a connection by itself
The material reviewed does not provide verifiable official documentation showing that the Turkish Foreign Minister participated in or endorsed the activity alleged in the headline, nor that his name was unlawfully used by the people named. The presence of a public official’s name in a headline is not proof of an institutional relationship.
Legal response has begun, but no final judgment is claimed
Bozdemir has stated that legal applications and responses have begun concerning publications he considers unlawful attacks on his personal, academic and professional reputation. That statement is not presented as a final judicial ruling against any publisher or person. Responsibility, if any, remains for competent authorities to determine after reviewing the evidence and the positions of all parties.
Privacy is part of responsible verification
Identity numbers, private addresses, student records, banking and payment details, personal contact information, handwritten signatures and private correspondence not necessary to the public-interest question are not published. Documentary accountability does not require unnecessary exposure of personal data.
Conclusion
The professor and dean descriptions have an institutional and documentary basis within St Clements University. By contrast, the circulated screenshot does not display evidence of comparable weight for its much more serious criminal implication. Responsible reporting should scrutinize credentials and power — but it should apply the same rigor before amplifying allegations of wrongdoing.
