Honour killing story: Zada (2013)

Zada
born:
Assassination attempt: November 18, 2013
Residence: Flensburg
Origin: Lebanon
Children: 2 sons
Perpetrator: her ex-partner Ahmad H. (48 years)

In July 2013 Zada breaks up with her boyfriend Ahmad. On November 18, shortly before 4 a.m., he invades her apartment and wounds her and an attending sister with a hatchet and pistol. He pours 13 liters of petrol and motor oil into the hall and the attic and sets the house on fire.

More than 50 people have to be evacuated and lose their homes. The fire brigade speaks of a small miracle that there are no more victims. The house has to be demolished.

The night after the crime, Ahmad is arrested. There are several ongoing proceedings against him, including violations of the Law on Stalking and Protection against Violence.

In May 2014, the attempted murder trial will start at the regional court in Flensburg. Ahmad has been sentenced to 8 years and 7 months imprisonment. A phrase in the court sentence also speaks of a "deep-rooted archaic image of the woman". Zada is not the real name of the woman.

A new building is being constructed. In March 2018, an Afghan refugee stabs his girlfriend, who had already started wearing headscarves for him, in this house.

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.