Death of Rojin Kabaiş
Rojin Kabaiş | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 March 2003 Diyarbakır, Turkey |
| Died | 15 October 2024 (aged 21) Van, Turkey |
Resting place | Yeniköy, Bağlar, Diyarbakır |
| Education | Van Yüzüncü Yıl University |
| Occupation | Student (Child Development Department) |
| Known for | Drawing public attention due to her disappearance and tragic death |
The death of Rojin Kabaiş came to light after her body was discovered on the shore of Lake Van, near Mollakasım neighbourhood in the Tuşba district of Van Province, Turkey.
Kabaiş was a first-year student in the Child Development Department at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University. An initial examination conducted at the Van Forensic Medicine Institution found no evidence of sharp-force or gunshot wounds, and no bone fractures were detected.[1] However, discoloration was observed on the neck, knee, and arm areas. The report stated that samples of blood, urine, and internal organs were sent to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute to determine the exact cause of death.[2][3]
Course of events
Kabaiş had moved from Diyarbakır to Van for her studies. She was reported missing on 27 September 2024. After an 18-day search, her body was discovered on 15 October 2024 on the shore of Lake Van, near Mollakasım Village.[4][5] A forensic report dated 6 November 2024 stated that DNA samples belonging to two different men were detected; however, no conclusive or suspicious findings were identified from those samples.[6] On 15 October 2025, a parliamentary motion submitted by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) to investigate Rojin Kabaiş's death was rejected in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) with the votes of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).[7]
Meeting with Justice Minister
On 6 May 2026, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek met with the family of Rojin Kabaiş regarding the investigation into her death. According to the Ministry of Justice, the family was informed about the progress of the investigation, and Kabaiş's mobile phone was undergoing forensic examination as part of the inquiry.[8]
Death
Rojin Kabaiş's family rejected claims that she had committed suicide or drowned, stating that she did not die in such a way.[9][10]
Protests
In Eskişehir a mural created in memory of Rojin Kabaiş was vandalized. The phrase “What happened to Rojin?” and Kabaiş's portrait were defaced, and a Turkish flag was drawn next to them.[11][12][13]
References
- ↑ "Rojin Karaiş olayı son durum gelişmeleri | Rojin Kabaiş kimdir, ne zaman ve nasıl öldü? Rojin Kabaiş olayı son dakika haberleri: Adalet Bakanı Tunç'tan..." www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 2025-10-17. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ Odatv (2024-10-16). "Rojin Kabaiş neden öldü... İlk bulgular: Elbise ve darp incelemesi detayı". Odatv (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Rojin Kabaiş'in ölüm nedeni araştırılıyor". arasgazetesi (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Rojin Kabaiş: Van'da kaybolan üniversite öğrencisinin cesedi göl kıyısında bulundu". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Women rally to shed light on suspicious death of university student - Türkiye News". Hürriyet Daily News. 2025-10-15. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Rojin'in vajinasında tespit edilen erkeğe ait DNA ile şüpheliler nasıl bulunacak?". bianet.org (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "TBMM Genel Kurulu'nda Rojin Kabaiş'in şüpheli ölümünün araştırılması için verilen öneri AK Parti- MHP oylarıyla reddedildi". ankahaber.net. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Bakan Gürlek, Rojin Kabaiş'in ailesiyle görüştü". Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Justice (in Turkish). 6 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rojin Kabaiş'in ölümü: Aile 2 erkek DNA'sının araştırılmasını istiyor". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Questions remain unanswered in Rojin Kabaiş's death". bianet.org. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ MA. "Rojin Kabaiş'in anısına yapılan duvar yazısına saldırı". Diyarbakır Haber | Son Dakika Gündem Haberleri – Diyarbakır.Net (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ MA. "Rojin Kabaiş'in anısına yapılan yazılamaya çirkin saldırı". Amed TV – Diyarbakır’dan Son Dakika Haberleri ve Gündem (in Turkish). Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ↑ "Eskişehir'de Rojin Kabaiş Yazılamasına Saldırı". Serhat News (in Turkish). 2025-10-08. Retrieved 2025-10-17.