Honour killing story: Canan (2014)

Canan
born: 1990
kidnap/murder threat: 5 October 2014
Location: Mainz/Frankfurt a.M.
Origin: Turkey
Children: none
Perpetrator: her ex-boyfriend Eren (23 years)

Eren and Canan have probably been together since their teens. He lives in Mainz and she lives with her parents in Frankfurt. Violence occurs in the on-off relationship. Canan has to go to the emergency room at least once. Above all, there is a difference of opinion as to whether or not she should wear a headscarf. Her profession is referred to as a saleswoman.

In October 2014, Eren will lure his girlfriend into his mother's car. He picks up her cell phone, threatens her with a gun and announces that he will kill her that day. In a warehouse, he ties her to a chair and beats her. She is supposed to confess that she is having an affair with his cousin.

Eren puts the gun in the mouth of the young woman, but shoots in the air. Canan faints. Then he holds her for three days. Apparently he is supported by a cousin who makes his apartment in Wiesbaden available for hostage-taking.

The first time Canan gets a fever, Eren and his cousin take her to the doctor.

In July 2015, the trial before the regional court of Frankfurt/M will begin. The perpetrator confesses to deprivation of liberty and the infliction of serious bodily harm. The verdict is unknown.

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.