Honour killing story: Maria Bitiki (2000)

Maria Bitiki
born: ?
clubbed and stabbed to death: June 2000
Residence: probably Munich
Origin: perpetrator: Macedonia
Children: ?
Perpetrator: her husband Spetim Bitiki, 36 years old at the time of the crime

Nothing is known about this case except that the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office has issued an international arrest warrant for Macedonian Spetim Bitiki.

This case does not have to be an honor killing. The brutal procedure could only be an indication of it. Most honor killings are scripted. For example, of the honor killings that have become known in Germany, not one was committed via poisoning.

Spetim cleaves his wife's head with a cleaver in June 2000. Then he stabs her in the stomach with a knife.

Maria is not the woman's real name. It is not known, nor is her age, occupation or nationality.

The perpetrator is a national of the Republic of Macedonia. He is of Albanian origin or Albanianized Roma. According to the Albanian spelling: Shpetim Bitiqi.

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.