The body of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, killed during a protest in the occupied West Bank, arrived in Turkey on Friday morning, where a funeral will be held on Saturday in the family’s hometown of Didim in the southwest of the country.
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The young woman’s body was received at Istanbul airport by the governor of Istanbul who presided over a brief ceremony with representatives of the ruling Islamist-conservative AKP party, according to the governorate’s X account. It was to be transported to Izmir (west), the country’s third city.
Also readTurkish-American woman killed during West Bank protest where Israeli army opened fire
Ayusenur Ezgi Eygi’s father, Mehmet Suat Eygi, 60, who came from the United States where he lives, confirmed Thursday evening that she would be buried on Saturday in the small seaside resort of Didim, on the Aegean coast, 160 km south of Izmir. Aysenur was a very special person. She was sensitive to human rights, to nature, to everything “, he stressed. He welcomed the decision Turkish authorities to open an investigation on ” this arbitrary assassination ” as announced by the Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunç. ” I learned that our state is pursuing this arbitrary murder by opening an investigation. I am pleased about that. I expect the same from the US government, because Aysenur was only 10 months old when she arrived in the United States. ” he argued.
Many people expected for the funeral
In addition to the parents of the 26-year-old woman, her partner is also present in Didim, where his grandfather and at least one uncle still live. The street where the family’s house is located was blocked off by police on Thursday and a tent was erected to receive condolences, AFP noted. At the cemetery, the grave has already been dug.
Many people are expected, according to the young woman’s uncle, Ali Tikkim, including religious representatives as well as representatives of the large Turkish Islamic NGO IHH, which is also calling for a gathering on Friday in the conservative district of Fatih, in Istanbul, after the main prayer.
Turkey has strongly condemned the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli gunfire on September 6 during a demonstration in Beita, near Nablus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would do everything ” so that the death of Aysenur Ezgi does not go unpunished “.