The family of a Turkish university director here is concerned over his safety after immigration officers arrested him on Dec 13, despite him having a valid social visitors pass.

Ismet Oszelic, 59, was charged on Dec 23, for purportedly using criminal force on a public officer after he and his son tried to call the police on the immigration officers seizing his passport.

Ismet, who is a director of the Mavlana University in Konya, Turkey, has been in the country from August last year with a valid pass that lasts until November this year, with his PhD holder son.