Protests held across Turkey for justice in Rojin Kabaiş death

Rojin Kabaiş justice for Rojin suspicious death Van Lake women's rights protests

Protests and marches have been held across several Turkish cities, including Van, Diyarbakır, and İzmir, to mark the second anniversary of the death of Rojin Kabaiş, a 21-year-old Van Yüzüncü Yıl University student. Kabaiş disappeared from her dormitory on September 27, 2024, and her body was discovered on the shores of Lake Van on October 15, 2024.

Activists, legal professionals, and family members are demanding a more thorough investigation, alleging that the initial probe was insufficient and that evidence may have been mishandled. Specific allegations raised by the Gaziantep Democratic Women's Platform include the discovery of DNA from two men on the victim's body, the presence of recuronium in her stomach, and the claim that data on her phone was deleted in a laboratory after being sent abroad for examination.

Family members, including her mother Aygül Kabaiş and father Nizamettin Kabaiş, have participated in the demonstrations, calling for accountability and questioning why the death was initially characterized as a suicide by authorities before a full autopsy was completed. Legal representatives from the Diyarbakır Bar Association have vowed to continue following the case until all circumstances surrounding her death are clarified and any responsible parties are held legally accountable.