4.  The applicant was born in 1955 and lives in Istanbul. He was a research assistant in the Institute for Positive Sciences at the Istanbul Technical University (hereinafter: “the University”) at the time of the events. 5.  On 30 June 1996 the University decided not to renew the applicant's contract as a research assistant. The applicant was notified of this decision on 17 July 1996. 6.  On 30 July 1996 the applicant filed an action with the İstanbul Administrative Court and requested the annulment, and suspension of the execution, of the University's abovementioned decision. 7.  The applicant's request for suspension was dismissed by the first instance court on 24 January 1997. 8.  On 31 October 1997 the Istanbul Administrative Court dismissed the applicant's case. 9.  On 20 January 1998 the applicant appealed. 10.  On 1 June 2000 the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the judgment of the first instance court. 11.  On 12 September 2000 the applicant requested the Supreme Administrative Court to rectify its decision. 12.  On 6 December 2001 the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed the applicant's request. This decision was served on the applicant on 16 January 2002.