Honour killing story: Katharina - No Honor In Killing

Katharina
born: 1972
attempted murder: 15 September 2015
Residence: Bensheim (near Darmstadt)
Origin: Sri Lanka / Tamil
Children: 2 daughters (5 and 11 years)
Perpetrator: her husband Annalatas S. (47 years)

Annalatas comes to Germany in 1992 as a refugee from Sri Lanka. His parents gave him a wife from his homeland in 2005. Because of the unclear residence status (and perhaps also because of his behaviour) Katharina probably lives temporarily in France. After the birth of her second daughter she came to Germany and quickly learned good German, unlike him. He works at McDonald's, she takes care of the two daughters.

The marriage is violent, at least one case from 2013 is registered. Katharina wants a divorce. In September 2015 there will be another dispute. Annalatas wants to push a butcher's knife in front of their daughter into the stomach of his wife. She defends herself, he cuts her head in. Later, the coroner will explain that it is a miracle that she survived. The perpetrator flees through the window, but is arrested almost immediately.

In April 2016 the trial in the court of Darmstadt for attempted murder begins. Katharina applied for divorce, but does not testify in court.

In May, Annalatas is sentenced to 5 years and 3 months imprisonment. A high alcohol content during the crime has a soothing effect. The judge points out that the Tamil does not regret his crime. He does not want an emancipated woman.

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.