Honour killing story: Gülsen (2010)

Gülsen
Born: 1982
stabbed: 29 June 2010
Residence: Berlin-Reinickendorf
Origin: Turkey
Children: 3 sons (aged 7,8,9 at the time of the crime) and 1 daughter (8 months)
Perpetrator: her husband Faricin or Fahrettin M. (at the time of the crime 34 years old)

Faricin/Fahrettin is a mechanic, does not work and has a criminal record for some violent crimes. Neighbors describe his marriage to Gülsen as not happy. Presumably, she wants to divorce her husband. After all, she reports him twice, but then does not appear for questioning. They say he locks her up. On one occasion, she comes to the hospital severely beaten.

Gülsen has been considered missing since June 29, 2010. Her parents report it to the police. Faricin/Fahrettin calls his wife's parents, says he does not know where Gülsen is and if the parents can take care of the children.

Almost eight weeks later, on August 22, passersby discover a plastic bag in the Spree River. In it, police find Gülsen's body, stabbed 15 times in the back, chest and neck. Her husband is arrested on strong suspicion. Spades and picks are found in his car.

In March 2011, the trial begins at the Berlin-Moabit District Court. There, the father of the deceased testified that Gülsen had filed for divorce, which would have taken effect on June 30. According to the father, his son-in-law could not accept this. In April, Fahrettin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for murder.

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.