ANKARA:  A Turkish gay rights organization says a gay Syrian refugee has been found decapitated in Istanbul.

In a statement Thursday, Kaos GL said the severely mutilated body of Muhammed Wisam Sankari was discovered on July 25, two days after he left his house, and that he was only identified by his house-mates by his clothing.

Kaos GL said Sankari had been kidnapped and raped by a group of men in Istanbul in a previous attack and was trying to leave Turkey for another country believing his life was in danger.

He had arrived in Istanbul a year ago, the rights group said, without providing any further information.

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