Honour killing story: Sibel (2009)

Sibel
Born: 1982
Attempted murder: August 30, 2009
Residence: Munich
Origin: Turkey
Children: 4
Perpetrator: her husband Erdal (age 33 at the time of the crime)

This case is not a completed honor killing, but only an attempted murder. Also in Germany, not the perpetrator is found guilty, but the instigator (presumably because the perpetrator is in Turkey). Because the case shows some typical features of honor killing, this story is included in our archive.

Sibel and Erdal are married. Erdal is a locksmith by profession, but is in prison for serious violent crimes. Meanwhile, in early 2009, his wife begins an affair with Levent, 34, who is also married.

In August, Erdal is deported from Munich prison to Turkey. Sibel follows him. As a result, Levent begins to harass her. He does not want to accept her decision and keeps asking her to return to him. When she refuses, he decides to take revenge on her.

Levent begins emailing Erdal anonymously that his wife is a whore. He adds nude photos of the young woman to the more than 70 e-mails and text messages. Erdal, the message reads, must kill Sibel to restore his honor.

This is what Erdal tries to do one day and knocks down his wife. Then he wants to stab her, but lets her go at the last minute.

Levent was sentenced by the Munich District Court in August 2010 for incitement to attempted manslaughter to a prison term of eight and a half years.

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.