Hundreds protest over rape and murder of LGBT activist in Istanbul after badly burned body found

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

The body of Hande Kader - who went missing earlier in August after she was last seen getting into a client's car - was found last week, and according to reports, was burned beyond recognition and found in a forest.

Ms Kader was a sex worker and prominent LGBT rights activist.

In 2015, police had banned the annual LGBT Pride march in Taksim Square in Istanbul. They tried to disperse the crowds, using water cannon, rubber bullets and pepper spray, but Ms Kader stood stubbornly against the police, and reproached journalists for not doing more.

Hundreds attended Sunday's rally, holding signs and chanting slogans in support of the 22-year-old, calling for justice and protesting in anger.

Following her death #HandeKadereSesVer (Give Voice to Hande Kader) began trending on social media.

Opposition MPs also attended the demonstration.

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey, but rights groups say hate crimes against the LGBT community are common.

No arrests have been reported.