Honour killing story: Karin Prokein (2008)

Karin Prokein
born 1960
strangled: 22 June 2008
Residence: Bad Nauheim (Hesse)
Origin: Victim: Germany; Perpetrator: Egypt
Children: 2 daughters
Perpetrator: her boyfriend Tarek E. (age 46 at the time of the crime)

Tarek came from Egypt to Germany in 1980. His asylum application was rejected. By marrying a German and having 2 children (and divorce) he gets a residence permit. In 2003, Tarek meets Karin.

Karin is a lawyer, married and director of a Parkinson's clinic in Bad Nauheim, Hesse. The clinic recruits Arab patients, Tarek is hired "as a consultant and interpreter." Apparently, together they have founded a "German health group" in Cairo. Quote from a newspaper: "More and more often, the attractive and charming lawyer could be seen at the side of the small, bulbous man."

Later, family members will say they don't believe the two were lovers. They say the clandestine relationship lasted 5 years. The mayor of the village says he warned Karin several times. He knew from the immigration office that Tarek was already violent toward women. A prison sentence had already been imposed for unlawfully exercising coercion.

In June 2008, Karin wants to get a divorce. Tarek strangles her in her office on June 22.

In January 2009, the trial begins at the district court in Giessen. Tarek is sentenced in the same month for manslaughter to 8 years and 6 months in prison. In November 2012, he is deported to Egypt and released there. In the appeal process, he had claimed to be a Coptic Christian.

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.