Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
A mum was stabbed 22 times to death in front of her five-year-old daughter, with prosecutors accusing her estranged husband and father-in-law of carrying out the killing together.
The case was heard in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, where the first trial session took place, local media reported on 3rd June.
Basak Gurkan, 46, poses with her estranged husband Baris Arslan, 45, in undated photo. She was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Basak Gurkan Arslan, 46, worked as a senior engineer and civil servant at Turkey’s General Directorate of Military Factories.
Prosecutors allege she was attacked by her father-in-law Kudret Arslan, 63, and her estranged husband Baris Arslan, 45, while divorce proceedings were underway.
Basak Gurkan, 46, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
According to the indictment, Basak suffered 22 stab wounds last year, three of which were individually capable of causing her death during the fatal attack on 9th September last year.
Both defendants are charged with intentional murder committed with extreme cruelty and face aggravated life sentences if convicted.
During the hearing, Baris Arslan claimed he was unable to stop the attack because he was in shock and feared his father might also harm him.
Basak Gurkan, 46, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
He told the court: “I saw my father punch Basak and she fell inside. I asked him, ‘What are you doing?’ He went towards the kitchen and later I saw a knife in his hand. I tried to get Basak outside. Then my father sat on top of her and started stabbing her.
“I had never even seen my father slaughter a chicken before. I was in shock. It was the first time I had seen him like that. Because of the shock, I couldn’t intervene.”
The indictment alleges Baris Arslan made no attempt to prevent the attack and participated in the crime through his actions during the incident.
Basak Gurkan, 46, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Prosecutors also claim both defendants acted together with a common purpose.
But Basak’s relatives said the couple’s five-year-old daughter gave a different account after witnessing her mother’s killing.
Her grandmother and aunt said the child told them after the attack: “My father held her, and my grandfather stabbed her.”
Basak Gurkan, 46, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
The girl’s aunt said the child had been severely traumatised and had repeatedly described the horror she saw, saying: “I saw my mother’s blood” and: “I saw the bones in her throat.”
Basak’s mother Makbule Gurkan also said her granddaughter remembered threats and violence before the killing, including Baris allegedly fighting with Basak and telling her: “I am your nightmare.”
Kudret Arslan told the court he had loved Basak “like a daughter” and insisted there had previously been no problems between them.
Kudret Arslan, 63, poses with unidentified child. He killed Basak Gurkan, 46, in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Describing the day of the killing, he said: “She insulted me and I lost control. I didn’t hear anything. I don’t remember anything else. I wish my son had stopped me. I am very sorry and I apologise to her family.”
Makbule rejected claims that her daughter had been involved with another person, describing the allegations as slander.
She told the court her daughter had previously spoken about suffering violence during the marriage.
Makbule also alleged Kudret had previously threatened her daughter, saying: “I will cut her. I will kill her.”
Baris Arslan, 45, poses in undated photo. Basak Gurkan, 46, was stabbed and killed by her father-in-law in front of her 5-year-old daughter. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Basak’s father Celal Gurkan claimed Baris had placed tracking devices on his daughter’s vehicle and used recording equipment to monitor her.
Following the hearing, the court ordered that both defendants remain in custody.
Proceedings were adjourned until 22 September.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
