Honour killing story: Myriam Z. (2020)

Myriam Z.
born: 1983
killed: 8 April 2020
Residence: Leipzig
Origin: Germany; Perpetrator: Afghanistan
Children: 1 daughter (2 months)
Perpetrator: her ex-boyfriend Edris Z. (30 years at the time of the crime)

Myriam is a social worker and is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend Edris. He came to Germany from Afghanistan when he was 5 years old and has a German passport. He is not the father of their 2 month old daughter.

On April 8, 2020 Edris beats his ex-girlfriend Myriam with a bottle in the Leipzig Auwald forest. The mother is found with her skull bashed in, her baby lies unharmed in a sling underneath her. Myriam is taken to the clinic.

The next day the police arrest the perpetrator - initially for attempted murder and infliction of dangerous bodily harm. Myriam dies 2 days later in intensive care.

After death, the following becomes known: Myriam's father comes from Algeria. Myriam studied Arabic Studies and worked in refugee aid. There she met Edris, who was considered to be well integrated and also worked in refugee aid. Words like "excellent example of successful integration" or "model refugee" can be found in the reports. However, there was a restraining order against him. Perhaps the "model refugee" is rather wishful thinking. About 2 years before the crime, Edris complained in a big newspaper about his late naturalization.

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.