Father of slain Turkish American activist Eygi seeks justice from US

ISTANBUL

Mehmet Suat Eygi, the father of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank, expressed hope that the US government would provide justice and launch an investigation into her murder, as the government of Türkiye is currently doing.

Eygi thanked Türkiye for not abandoning the pursuit of this "arbitrary murder" by initiating an investigation into her daughter's murder, telling reporters in Aydin in Türkiye's Aegean Region, "We expect the same from the US government."

Eygi, 26, a dual Turkish-US national, was killed on Sept. 6 by Israeli forces during a peaceful protest against illegal Israeli settlements in the town of Beita near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Türkiye has initiated an investigation into the killing of Eygi by Israeli soldiers, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Thursday.

The investigation was opened under crimes committed against Turkish citizens in a foreign country.

Individuals implicated will face charges of “premeditated murder” categorized under “crimes against humanity.”

Türkiye will additionally seek international arrest warrants via a red notice, calling for the apprehension of those accountable.

Eygi described the profound pain he and his family are enduring, recalling his daughter Aysenur as a dedicated advocate for human rights and the environment. “Aysenur was sensitive to human rights, nature, and everything,” he said.

The father noted that Aysenur’s body will be brought to Istanbul on Friday morning and then to Izmir province, with the funeral set for Saturday.

“America is a somewhat different country,” Eygi said, adding: “When there is an injustice or a killing of its own citizens, America, like the eagle on its emblem, swoops down. But when it comes to Israel, there may be an effort to evade it.”

Eygi added that Aysenur, who had received a good education in the US, chose to dedicate her life to her ideals rather than living a comfortable life. “She was so idealistic.”