Hundreds protest murder of LGBT activist in Istanbul

Istanbul — Demonstrators gathered in central Istanbul to protest the rape and killing of a transgender woman and LGBT activist.

Hundreds attended the rally on Sunday, holding signs and chanting slogans for 22-year-old Hande Kader, whose body was found last weekend. Media reports say the body was burned beyond recognition. Opposition MPs also attended the demonstration.

Banu Aslan, 58, told The Associated Press, "We want justice. They should never do this again. They should never murder again."

Last month, Turkish gay rights organization Kaos GL reported that the decapitated body of a gay Syrian refugee, Muhammed Wisam Sankari, had been found in Istanbul.

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey but rights groups say hate crimes against the LGBT community are common.

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Copyright 2016 The Gayly - 8/21/2016 @ 2:20 p.m. CDT.