Şemsettin Ekinci, who was released from Izmir Menemen Type R Closed Prison in January 2025 after 30 years of captivity, has passed away at the age of 70. On Thursday evening, Ekinci was hospitalized in Antalya due to multiple organ failure and lost his life. His body was brought to Batman today for burial. His body was then taken to his hometown, Batman, and buried in the village of Başova in Gercüş district.

The funeral was attended by Gülistan Sönük, co-mayor of Batman Municipality who was replaced by a trustee, members of the Peace Mothers Assembly, the Free Women’s Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad - TJA), the provincial organizations of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Batman, as well as many citizens.

In January 2017, Ekinci suffered a heart attack due to a blockage in his brain vessels. Despite his condition, he was given blood thinners and sent back to prison. In 2018, he fell ill in his ward and was taken to Çiğli State Hospital, where he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Paralysis developed on the left side of his body, leaving him unable to stand. Although he was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) multiple times, the report issued for him stated that he "cannot be kept in prison alone." His request for a suspension of his sentence was denied.

Ekinci was then transferred to Menemen Type R Prison for treatment, yet saw no progress in his medical care, and his health deteriorated with each passing day. As the lower part of his body was paralyzed, bedsores developed due to prolonged immobility. Because of burns in his genital area, he was unable to urinate, and a catheter was inserted, forcing him to live under these conditions. He was taken several times to Yeşilyurt State Hospital for eye treatment, but no medical intervention was ever performed.