Under fire for investigating academics over their support for pro-Palestinian students, German officials were evasive when pressed about whether the probe has been called off, even after acknowledging that the academics’ actions were within their right to freedom of expression, Anadolu reports.

On May 7, more than 100 German-based academics signed an open letter protesting the authorities’ response towards pro-Palestinian student protesters during a demonstration at the Free University of Berlin. The letter accused the university administration of subjecting demonstrators to “police violence.”

Afterwards, an email sent to the faculty members said their support for the students was being investigated and asked them provide a written defense of their actions.

In a written inquiry, Anadolu asked the Education and Research Ministry: “What is the outcome of the investigation? Have similar investigations been conducted in other contexts before? Do university lecturers need to fear having their funds cut in the future if they criticize government policies or disagree with the Federal Minister?”

In its response, the ministry said that the letter from the lecturers had been reviewed in light of the public debate concerning its legality and the constitutionality of individual expressions contained within it.