The family of Rojin Kabaiş, who died under unclear circumstances, says they are facing severe threats. The father of the 21-year-old student reports being regularly urged to abandon the pursuit of justice. At the same time, the family accuses the authorities of failing to take protective measures despite being informed of the threats.
Rojin Kabaiş disappeared in October 2024 in Van and was found dead 18 days later on the shore of Lake Van. While investigative authorities early on suggested the possibility of suicide, the family and their legal counsel have questioned this narrative from the beginning. They believe the student was killed and that the case is not being thoroughly investigated.
“They threaten to kill me and bury me next to my daughter”
The father, Nizamettin Kabaiş, told ANF that he has been receiving threats for months, particularly via the messaging service WhatsApp. “Every 15 to 20 days they write to me telling me to drop the case. They threaten to kill me and bury me next to my daughter,” he said. The threats have been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office through legal counsel, but no concrete protective measures have been taken.
The family is meanwhile demanding increased security measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras around their home. The father says he is particularly threatened by phone calls in the evenings. Despite the ongoing intimidation, he stated that he will not back down: “I will not take a single step back until those responsible for my daughter’s death are held accountable.”
“As efforts to uncover the truth increase, so does the pressure”
According to Kabaiş, the threats are linked to the case itself. As efforts to uncover the truth intensify, so too does the pressure. At the same time, he criticizes significant deficiencies in the investigation so far. The case shows “serious gaps,” and the investigations conducted to date are inadequate. The family is therefore calling for the establishment of an independent and specialized investigative team. The authorities currently responsible in Van are, in their view, overwhelmed by the case. Instead, a team from major cities such as Ankara or Istanbul should reopen the investigation, the family insists.
Father reaffirms struggle for justice
The case has gained further gravity due to a forensic report that is said to contain indications of possible sexual violence as well as male DNA. According to the family’s legal counsel, access to this document was only granted nearly a year after the young woman’s death. This further strengthens the family’s suspicion that the case is not being handled transparently. The father of Rojin Kabaiş reaffirmed: “I will continue my struggle for justice despite the threats and will keep demanding a full investigation into the circumstances of my daughter’s death.”
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