Honour killing story: Leyla - No Honor In Killing

Leyla
born:1968
almost stabbed to death: 5 January 2014
Residence: Neuss/Düsseldorf
Origin: Turkey
Children: 2 sons
perpetrator: her divorced husband Arif C. (45 years)

After 25 years of marriage, Leyla is divorcing her husband Arif. A common son probably stays with Leyla, who works as a nurse. Arif's profession is indicated as an industrial mechanic.

On 5 January 2014, after her service in the Heerdt Hospital, Leyla will go for a walk with a friend on the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf.

Her ex-husband lurks at her, starts a fight and stabs her. In a very critical condition, the victim goes to the hospital. But her life can be saved with an emergency operation.

The perpetrator is fleeing. A German soldier who happens to be in the neighbourhood, picks up the chase, arrests the perpetrator at a gas station and calls the police. The perpetrator is known to the police - also because of the violence against his wife. The arrest warrant is for attempted manslaughter.

In May 2014, the trial will begin before the District Court of Düsseldorf. It is said that the couple have known each other from an early age and that they married early. This probably means a marriage that has at least been arranged. In June, Arif is sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.

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.