After months of public appeal for Kurdish lawyer Ebru Timtik to be released following her hunger strike in demand of fair trial, the young activist was pronounced dead, stirring a storm of condemnation against the Turkish government.
@HeikoMaas former lawyer. What about asking your turkish friends to comply with international law, ratify UNCLOS and settle the case to ICJ of The Hague Instead of threatening?
— Las Nico (@LasNico6) August 27, 2020
Lawyer Ebru Timtik died today in your friend’s jail.
You’re right we should all support Erdogan. pic.twitter.com/uAW6jtJDVU
238 days had gone by as Timtik continued her hunger strike while in Silivri prison in Istanbul as she was demanding a fair trial after she was sentenced to 13.5 years. According to DW, Timtik and 17 other lawyers were sentenced to jail over alleged links to the outlawed Marxist organization known as the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).
Human rights activists had reported legal flaws in her trial; especially after judges who had ordered her initial release were replaced following her detention in September 2018, which led her and another lawyer to start a hunger strike that went on for several months.
Her name is #EbruTimtik
— Stefan Simanowitz (@StefSimanowitz) August 28, 2020
She was a lawyer
18 months ago she was jailed on absurd charges
239 days ago she began a hunger strike demanding a fair trial
Ystdy, on day 238, she died
I didn't know her, but for my friends who did, I'm so sorry
We will not let her death be in vain pic.twitter.com/wjiVRtxn7U
#EbruTimtik, a human rights lawyer, who started a hunger strike in prison demanding a fair trial and justice, died in Istanbul on the 238th day of her hunger strike. #Justice4Ebru pic.twitter.com/e3oCCzhgvq
— International Observatory of Human Rights (@observatoryihr) August 28, 2020
As soon as news of Timtik death was announced last Thursday, social media exploded with anger over the Turkish government's complete disregard for her health and her demands, accusing Turkish officials of intentionally killing the 42-years old activist.
Just incredibly sad
— Stefan Simanowitz (@StefSimanowitz) August 28, 2020
For Ebru’s family & friends
For Turkey & for this fragile planet that needs people of principle & courage like Ebru, now, more than ever
Funeral of #EbruTimtik at the Gazi Cemevi, Istanbul. (Footage via @etkinhaberetha) #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/SQYTZdwRv8
Ne yazacağımı bilemedim... #EbruTimtik pic.twitter.com/Y7zuiNECXt
— Barış Yarkadaş (@barisyarkadas) August 28, 2020
Translation: "I don't know what to write"
Ebru Timtik cenazesinde polis müdahalesi: Cenazeye katılan bir kişiyi hedef alarak böyle plastik mermi sıktılar? pic.twitter.com/bkaUQG15OG
— Yol TV (@YolTV) August 28, 2020
Translation: Police attack at Ebru Timtik's funeral: they targeted a person attending the funeral and shot plastic bullets like this."
Twitter users also shared videos of Timtik's funeral where several lawyers carried her coffin, while wearing their robes. Music was played in honor of the late activist before police officers tried to attack the hundreds of people who gathered to mourn her chanting "Ebru Timtik is immortal."
According to media sources, several health reports had recommended Ebru Timtik's release due to her deteriorating health condition but were all rejected by the court. Friends and family of Timtik said that she weighed 30 kilograms at the time of her death.
