The victim was identified as Meliha Keskin, a 39-year-old fourth-year student in the Faculty of Letters and a mother of three. According to a report by the newspaper Cumhuriyet, Keskin was attacked by her ex-husband, identified as Ferhat K. He reportedly walked onto the campus unchallenged while carrying a shotgun, shot Keskin, and fled the scene. She was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
In the wake of the tragedy, which occurred on October 24, hundreds of students organized a protest and memorial service. The demonstration directly targeted Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, with students chanting "Rector, resign!" as he stood by. Protesters carried signs with messages such as, "We don't want to lose one more person," reflecting their fear and frustration. The rector reportedly listened to the students’ demands in silence.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect, Ferhat K., was apprehended by police shortly after fleeing in his vehicle. The incident has intensified the debate on campus security and the broader issue of violence against women in the country. The new tragedy is not an isolated incident and has intensified the debate on campus security and the broader crisis of violence against women in Turkey.
The country has seen an alarming increase in femicides over the last couple of years, a trend that women's rights organizations have consistently highlighted. Activists report hundreds of women are killed annually, often by partners or relatives, and argue that the government's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention—a treaty designed to combat such violence—has further eroded protections for vulnerable women.
Photo: Gemini AI