A BRITISH woman detained in Turkey after protesting at the Nato summit in Ankara is on hunger strike, with her lawyers warning today of potential human rights violations.

They said that 26-year-old neuroscience graduate from Brighton, Ella Vivier, had not been given any legal reason for her detention.

A support worker with vulnerable children, Ms Vivier travelled to Ankara ahead of the summit after Turkish political organisations, unions and civil society groups put out a call to join demonstrations.

Ms Vivier was detained alongside three other international protesters around 9pm on Sunday, before the start of the summit on Tuesday.

All four went on hunger strike on Monday, according to her legal representatives in Turkey, Suheyla Oguz and Senem Doganoglu.

“At the time of her detention, no reason or legal basis for the detention was explained to her,” they said.

The British activist was not charged with any crime, but an investigation is under way for suspicion of “initiating provocative actions during the Nato summit,” which her lawyers do not believe to be defined as a criminal offence under Turkish criminal law.

Solidarity with the People Of Turkey (Spot) said around 500 Turkish nationals have also been arrested and called for Britain to end ties with the Turkish regime. 

A spokesperson said: “There now exists a Turkey where anyone who opposes the regime faces a life in prison. 

“[Britain’s] expectant PM Andy Burnham and the UK government must reconsider who they are collaborating with. 

“Protesting against oppressive policies, particularly those of Nato, is a right, and everyone who has been arrested must be released.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said the department was supporting the family of a British woman detained in Turkey and was “in contact with the local authorities.”