Protests Erupt in Turkey After Uzbek Woman Found Dead

Protests took place in Istanbul and Ankara after the brutal killing of Uzbek citizen Durdona Khokimova, according to Agos. The 36-year-old woman’s body was found on January 24 in a rubbish container in Istanbul’s Sisli district.

The demonstrations were organised by the «We Will Stop Femicide» platform. Marchers carried banners reading «Migrant women are not alone» and «We demand justice for Durdona.» Activists accused authorities of allowing a culture of impunity, which they say encourages violence against women.

During the protests, demonstrators called for Turkey to reinstate the Istanbul Convention on the protection of women and to strengthen safeguards for foreign women.

Amid the demonstrations, Turkish authorities confirmed the arrest of two suspects in Khokimova’s killing. Both were Uzbek citizens. One has reportedly confessed, saying the killing followed an argument. The woman’s beheaded body was found in Istanbul, the Uzbek consulate confirmed.

According to the consulate, her body, wrapped in a sheet, was discovered in a waste container on the evening of January 24 and handed to police. A joint investigation by police, the forensic centre and the prosecutor’s office confirmed her identity.

Two suspects were arrested while attempting to leave Turkey for Georgia.

Turkish outlet Birgün reported the suspects were Uzbek citizens aged 31 and 29. A third suspect, a 58-year-old Turkish citizen, was later detained.

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