site.btaRally in Istanbul Protests Violence against Women, State's Negligence

Hundreds of people joined a demonstration in Istanbul on Saturday night to protest violence against women, after two young women, Ikbal Uzuner and Aysenur Halil, were killed the previous day within 30 minutes of each other, allegedly by the same perpetrator. According to the protesters, although violence against women has become a daily occurrence in Turkiye, the state and the Government are failing to take the necessary protective and deterrent measures.

The rally began in the Fatih district where the two murders took place, haberler.com reported. The participants were carrying signs that read "Stop violence against women", "We want strict punishment for the perpetrators", "The Government should hear our voice", "How long shall we be defenceless?", "Ministries should not turn a blind eye".

The crowd headed towards the city centre, however, the police did not allow them to reach Taksim Square. The demonstrators read out an address, which accused Government and state institutions of negligence and pointed out that 290 women have died since the start of the year, while another 160 have died in questionable circumstances such as suicide or accidents.

The alleged killer, a 19-year-old man, had his home searched. The police found images that detailed the way he was planning to murder his victims, Anka News Agency.

According to Haber Global, the police also found a recorded video from 2023, in which he confessed that he wanted to kill Uzuner.