Honor killing in Apeldoorn, Netherlands: Woman stabbed to death on the street in the presence of her young daughter by ex-partner

Young mother
Age: 28
Stabbed to death: September 5, 2023
Residence: Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Origin: Turkey
Children: several
Perpetrator: her ex-partner

On September 5, 2023, in broad daylight, a stabbing took place on the Casper Fagalstraat in Apeldoorn in which a 28-year-old woman was killed. This happened in the presence of her 3-year-old daughter. Police have arrested the suspect in the same street; according to local residents, the suspect is the Turkish ex-partner.

The woman, whose name was not disclosed, had several children and was living in a nearby apartment. According to witnesses, the man allegedly filmed his heinous act.

On October 23, police arrested two men, aged 35 and 26, from Germany. What the new suspects have to do with the case is still unclear. Police assume the suspects did not act alone and speak of a "targeted action in the family atmosphere.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.