Amed Bar Association President Tahir Elçi who was killed in a shady armed attack in Sur yesterday has been laid to rest.

The funeral for prominent human rights defender began with a march from Koşu Yolu Park to Yeniköy Cemetery. His family decided to lay him to rest in "Amed, capital of Kurdistan where he studied, struggled and lived with his family for years".

"Em te ji bîr nakin” (We will not forget you) and “PKK is not a terror organisation” read the huge banner carried by the people on the front line of the cortege leading tens of thousands during the march to the cemetery.

Elçi's coffin was taken from the funeral coach and carried on shoulders to the grave by his colleagues wearing their togs.

The funeral witnessed expression of anger towards the Turkish state and government amid often chanted slogans "Şehit Namırın" (Martyrs are Immortal), "Murderer Erdoğan", "PKK is the people and the people are here".

"We never surrendered" read the banners people carried at the funeral.

Human rights and peace defender Tahir Elçi was later laid to rest to the accompaniment of "Şehit Namırın" slogan. Carnations were left on his grave after his burial.

With a few words near Elçi's grave, his elder brother Ahmet Elçi said; "Ours is a cause for fraternity, unity, peace and our people's freedom."