Honour killing story: Tuma (2012)

Tuma
born: 1973
Shot dead: November 7, 2012
Residence: Berlin-Kreuzberg
Origin: Turkey
Children: 2 girls (10, 12 years), 1 boy (18 years)
Perpetrator: her husband Attila U. (40 years)

Tuma grew up in Germany and married at the age of 20 to a Turk from Turkey. He comes to Germany, the two of them have three children.

A controversial point is the move of the family to Turkey. Since Tuma grew up in Germany, she probably does not want to go and threatens to keep the children in Germany as well.

Late in the evening of November 7, 2012 Attila shoots his wife and then himself. Neighbours warn the police. Tuma dies in the apartment, Attila dies in the hospital.

It is possible that the three children witnessed the crime. Then they flee to the neighbors. Later they are placed with their grandmother.

The newspaper says that the perpetrator sympathizes with the Turkish nationalist Grey Panther party. He works as a taxi driver and wants to return to Kayseri, a stronghold of nationalists whose names often appear in connection with honour killings.

Attila doesn't have a permit. Suicide is unusual for an honour killing.

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.