LGBTI Activist Coşkun Released

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Diren Coşkun, an LGBTI activist and transgender inmate who was arrested in August 2017, has been released. Coşkun is a member of Keskesor LGBTİ Amed, an organization based in southeastern province Diyarbakır.

The activist was arrested on August 14, 2017, on charges of "being a member of an illegal organization" and "propagandizing for an illegal organization" when she went to Diyarbakır Courthouse to get a password for e-government services.

The Diyarbakır Type-D Prison administration put transgender inmate Coşkun into same dormitory with male inmates, ignoring her gender identity. After her protests, Coşkun was put in a cell. She was then sent to Tekirdağ No. 2 Type-F Prison.

CLICK - LGBTI Activist Coşkun Detained on Remand Stays in Solitary Cell

The activist began a death fast, demanding her right to gender transition and improvement in prison conditions. She suspended the death fast on February 21 as a result of having her demands partially granted.

Coşkun ended the death fast on February 28, after prison administration took steps for Coşkun to use her treatment right. (EMK/VK)