WAN – Students at Van Yuzuncu Yil University (YYU) have entered the fifth day of their protest for the suspicious death of their classmate Rojin Kabais. The students asked: “Why is there footage of the student who found Rojin’s phone, but not of the person who left it there?”

 

The suspicious death of 21-year-old university student Rojin Kabais continues to draw public attention. Kabais, a first-year student in Child Development at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, went missing after leaving her dormitory on 27 September 2024. Her body was found 18 days later on the shore of Mollakasım neighbourhood near Lake Van.

Students at YYU continue their campus protest following the release of the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) report on the suspicious death of their classmate Rojin. The students vowed to continue their demonstrations until the case is fully clarified. 

 

Student Tuba Eriş said they will not end their protest until those responsible are identified: “We lost our classmate, and from the beginning they told us it was suicide. But later evidence pointed to sexual assault. Our demand is simple; the perpetrators must be found and an official statement made. Until then, we will continue our protest. The truth is being covered up, but we will not let them bury this case.”

 

 

‘NO STUDENT FEELS SAFE AT THIS UNIVERSITY’

 

She criticized the administration for failing to protect students: “No student here — woman or man — feels safe. When we protest, dozens of security guards appear immediately. But where were they when Rojin disappeared? Where were the dorm manager and security when she was attacked? Until these questions are answered, we will not stop. For a year they said ‘suicide,’ yet the case file now shows otherwise. Why were the cameras not working that day? Who are the perpetrators, and why are they being protected?”

 

‘WHY IS ATK HIDING THE DNA RESULTS?’

 

Student Barış Metin questioned why the Forensic Medicine Institute has withheld DNA evidence for over a year: “Our friend was murdered, and we demand justice. They tried to disguise it as suicide, but facts are emerging that change everything. We want a safe campus. If they claim someone outside the university is responsible, then the administration must resign. How could outsiders enter a secured campus? Either a student, an administrator, or a faculty member did this — and they must be held accountable.”

 

 

‘WHY IS THE RECTOR SILENT?’

 

Metin said there are allegations that the security footage from the day Rojin disappeared was deleted: “We are not affiliated with any political group — we are students demanding justice. When we protest, the administration floods the campus with police and guards. Why don’t they show the same effort for our safety? Why are there no cameras in blind spots? Why is there footage of the person who found Rojin’s phone, but not of the person who left it there? There are so many unanswered questions. The rector must stop hiding and make a statement.”

 

‘LET’S BE ROJIN’S VOICE’

 

Calling for solidarity, Metin urged all universities to join their demand for justice: “There are too many rumors, yet the administration remains silent. If they have nothing to hide, let them release the footage publicly. Let Rojin’s father be invited to parliament, just as Ahmet Mankuzi’s mother was. Why is Rojin’s name not given to a faculty building or park? Our female friends say they no longer feel safe walking at night — this is unacceptable. We call on all students across universities: stand with us and be Rojin’s voice.”

 

MA / Ozlem Yacan – Bilal Babat