Turkish court releases woman who killed abusive husband in self-defense

A Turkish court has released a woman who was arrested in January after ruling that the murder took place in self-defense. İpek's attorney Ahmet Onaran said that they would continue to represent her as the petitioners reserved the right to appeal the ruling.

Tuesday April 27 2021 12:52 pm

Duvar English

A Turkish woman who was arrested in January for killing her husband was released on April 26 after a court in the southern province of Antalya ruled that the murder took place in self-defense.

Melek İpek had called the police on Jan. 7, immediately after shooting her husband in their Antalya home, where police found the woman handcuffed with apparent signs of abuse.

İpek's attorney Ahmet Onaran said that they would continue to represent her as the petitioners reserved the right to appeal the ruling.

"I reunited with my children. I'll be able to get a good sleep tonight," İpek said upon being released.

'I'm not a monster'

Separately, the prime suspect in the murder of 27-year-old Pınar Gültekin said in an April 26 statement that he wasn't a monster or a misogynist.

"I'm sorry. I'm not a monster or a misogynist. Try me with justice, not public prosecution. The press keeps saying she was my girlfriend. She's not my girlfriend, she was an escort who was forced to be with me," Cemal Metin Avcı said, prompting outrage in the courtroom.

The court ruled for the continuation of Avcı's arrest.