Honour killing story: Hacihan (2008)

Hacihan
Born: 1962
Almost killed: July 15, 2008
Residence: Munich
Origin: Turkey
Children: 2 sons (ages 21, 22) and a 7-year-old daughter
Perpetrator: her husband Recai H., 45, living separately

At some point in the 25-year marriage, Recai becomes addicted to drugs. Being unemployed anyway, he goes back to Turkey, but then comes back to Munich, drinks and terrorizes his wife.

In March 2008, this develops into a situation where he is no longer allowed in the family home. Recai takes up residence in a hostel for men and plans his revenge from there.

On July 15, 2008, he waits in the middle of Munich for his wife to pick up their little daughter from school. He kisses the girl first.

Then he hits Hacihan on the head with a bottle. She collapses. But Recai does not let go of her, but continues - when she is already covered in blood on the ground - to hit her head and neck with the broken bottle.

Two passersby are able to pull him away and hold him on the ground. Recai screams, "I hope she's dead, I hope I hit the nerve." He may be drunk, but he knows what he is doing. It is quite possible that he drank because he hoped it would get him a lighter sentence. Later he allows himself to be arrested by the police without resistance.

On May 15, 2009, Recai was sentenced by the Munich District Court to 12 years in prison and admission to a rehab clinic for attempted murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

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.