The schoolgirl who set herself alight in London during Tuesday's Kurdish protests was a fervent supporter of the PKK, a family member said yesterday. Nejla Kanteper (15) is being treated for burns in hospital following her protest at the Greek embassy in Holland Park.
A female family member said Nejla, a pupil at the White Hart Lane School in Tottenham, north London, became politically aware following a troubled childhood in Cyprus.
The family were regularly beaten during raids in their village by Turkish police, the relative said.
They moved to Britain six years ago from their home in Dipkarpaz, a Turkish region of Cyprus.
It has been reported that Nejla often spoke to friends about going to Germany to train to fight for the cause.
The family's home is said to be adorned with pro-Kurdish flags, according to a friend.
"I feel so sad because she is really bad. Everywhere is burned," said the relative.
"Her legs, her face, her arms, her back and all her clothes. She is in hospital and she is going to be there for a long time."
Nejla's father, Suleyman and her 20-year-old brother, Ersin, were with her at the protest yesterday.
A spokeswoman at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital yesterday described Nejla's condition as "stable".
