Hundreds protest over murder of LGBT activist in Istanbul

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

Hundreds attended the rally, holding signs and chanting slogans in support of 22-year-old Hande Kader, whose body was found last weekend.

Her body was burned beyond recognition, according to reports.

Tears of Blood
Justice for #HandeKader
Istanbul #LGBTI pic.twitter.com/Xr4qXI8nbG

— John Wreford (@JohnWreford) August 21, 2016

Opposition MPs also attended the demonstration.

Banu Aslan, 58, said of the killers: "We want justice. They should never do this again. They should never murder again."

Last month, Turkish gay rights organisation 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.