AMED — Nizamettin Kabaiş has been fighting to uncover the truth behind his daughter Rojin Kabaiş’s suspicious death for 11 months, accusing authorities of trying to cover up the case. He claims the university and dormitory, both state-affiliated, are involved.

 

Rojin Kabaiş (21), a first-year student in the Child Development Department at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, disappeared after leaving her dormitory on September 27, 2024. Her body was found on October 15 near the shore of Wan Lake, Molla Kasım Village. Despite the on-going investigation and at least five meetings between the family’s lawyers and the prosecutor’s office, no significant progress has been made. 

 

‘WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER?’

 

Kabaiş criticized the lack of answers regarding the cause and perpetrators of his daughter’s death, stating, “They won’t tell us who did it or why. We keep asking, but get no response. It must have happened at the university or dormitory, they’re involved, that’s why they stay silent.”

 

DNA EVIDENCE IGNORED

 

He pointed out that the initial forensic report revealed DNA from two different men on Rojin’s phone. “It’s clear two people were involved. The phone had two fingerprints. If those DNA samples are traced, the case will be solved. The two harmed her, there are bruises on her throat, and a broken finger. When I told the prosecutor, he called it ‘post-mortem bruising,’ but it’s not.”

 

‘THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER IT UP’

 

Regarding the claim that Rojin drowned, father Kabaiş said: “They say she was underwater for 18 days. If that were true, wounds wouldn’t darken or scab—they’d stay pale. It’s obvious she was held somewhere, then brought here. Two white threads were found on her clothes—that shows she was hidden somewhere, then dumped in the lake once it got public attention. All these are clear evidence, but the DNA of those two suspects is never mentioned.”

 

CONTRADICTORY CLAIMS ABOUT DEATH

 

Kabaiş also rejected “suicide” claims: “Show me proof or footage of her jumping in the water, then I’ll believe it. My daughter had no reason to kill herself. Everyone who searched the lake said the current runs opposite to how her body was found, making it impossible for her to drift there naturally. Helicopters were flying overhead daily, scanning with binoculars. They conducted underwater searches, yet first said she wasn’t underwater, now say she was under trees. Their lies don’t add up.”

 

‘ALL RESPONSIBLE’

 

Highlighting unanswered questions from Amed (Diyarbakır) and Wan (Van) bar associations about when and how long Rojin was in the water, Kabaiş added: “We asked repeatedly, but no answers. After the autopsy, all these should be clear. They only say ‘drowned,’ but there is no clear proof. They tell us ‘trust us,’ but I don’t. I pity myself and my family, living under a government that can’t or won’t clarify this. They have the power but don’t want to reveal the truth because the university and dormitory are state-controlled and involved. When lawyers ask the prosecutor, he changes the subject and even laughs.”

 

MA / Heval Onkol