Honour killing story: Mirjana Pantic (2002)

Mirjana Pantic
born 1982
stabbed to death: September 17, 2002
Residence: Berlin-Spandau
Origin: Yugoslavia
Children: none
Perpetrator: her father Zivota Pantic (age 42 at the time of the crime)

In 2000, Mirjana's parents divorce in the former Yugoslavia. Mother and daughter move to Berlin and live together in a flat in Spandau. The father, Zivota Pantic, remains in his homeland. He is an Orthodox Christian.

In September, for an unknown reason, he goes to Berlin and stays with acquaintances. After his arrival, he meets Mirjana and his ex-wife Sladana. He learns of his daughter's friendship with a Muslim.

The next morning the mother goes to work early, at 4:30. Around eight o'clock, the father enters the apartment and finds Mirjana alone.

It probably comes to an argument before Zivota stabs his daughter with a knife. He flees.

At about 12 o'clock the mother comes home and discovers the crime. The emergency physician can only determine death by exsanguination.

Later, in file number XY Unsolved, a search is made for the perpetrator. There is no more information.

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.