Brighton woman begins hunger strike in Turkey after detention ahead of Nato summit protest
Neuroscience graduate Ella Vivier, 26, is being investigated after travelling to Turkey intending to protest against the Nato summit in Ankara
A British woman has gone on hunger strike after being detained in Turkey ahead of protests against this week's Nato summit in Ankara.
Ella Vivier, 26, a neuroscience graduate from Brighton who works as a support worker with vulnerable children, was detained at about 9pm on Sunday alongside three other protesters, according to her legal representatives.
The four began a hunger strike on Monday while being held in custody.
Ms Vivier travelled to the Turkish capital after Turkish political organisations, civil society groups and trade unions called for demonstrations against the Nato summit, which began on Tuesday. The summit was attended by world leaders including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump.
Lawyers challenge detention
Ms Vivier's legal representatives, Suhelya Oguz and Senem Doganoglu, said she has not been charged with any offence.
They said an investigation is instead being conducted on suspicion of "initiating provocative actions during the Nato summit" and alleged membership of an illegal organisation.
The lawyers said Ms Vivier was not told why she was being detained when she was arrested.
"At the time of her detention, no reason or legal basis for the detention was explained to her," they said.
"We were only later informed by the authorities that the investigation concerns an allegation of membership of an illegal organisation.
"However, our examination of the investigation file has revealed no evidence supporting this allegation and no factual basis for the accusation has been disclosed to the defence."
Ms Oguz said her legal team believes there is no offence under Turkish criminal law described as "initiating provocative actions".
"In our legal opinion, there are serious concerns regarding the lawfulness of the detention," she said. "Ella was not informed of the reasons for her detention at the time she was apprehended."
Family unable to make contact
Ms Vivier's partner, who asked not to be named, said they had been unable to speak to her since her arrest.
"No-one, except the lawyer, has been allowed to talk to her," they said. "She's been held in a counter-terror cell. Even the embassy haven't been able to speak to her directly."
Describing the detention as unlawful, they added: "Her and the three other internationalists that she was arrested with were arrested pre-emptively before the summit had started, so before even taking part in any of the protests, so she hadn't committed any crime.
"It's been a purely preventative detention, which we consider to be in violation of fundamental human rights.
"Her and the other three internationalists have been on hunger strikes since their arrest in a protest against their conditions."
Human rights concerns raised
Ms Oguz said she believed Ms Vivier's human rights had been violated during her arrest, transport to detention and a hospital visit for a health check.
She also alleged Ms Vivier was required to sign documents written entirely in Turkish, which she could not read or understand.
"These allegations raise serious concerns regarding her right to liberty and security, her right of access to legal assistance, her right to a fair trial, her right to dignity and privacy, and the prohibition of ill-treatment," Ms Oguz said.
"We believe these allegations require a prompt, effective and independent investigation."
UK authorities involved
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities."
A spokesperson for Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry said the Green MP was in contact with Ms Vivier's family and had approached the FCDO for assistance.
"Sian is aware of their detention and is in touch with Ella's family as her constituency MP," the spokesperson said.
"Sian and her casework team have already made contact with the FCDO and are doing what they can to assist Ella and her family.
"She will continue to do what she can to ensure their safe return to the UK."
Turkish authorities have been approached for comment.