Weapons of Retired Police Should be Seized

Kulaksiz's husband Huseyin Kulaksiz, who was a retired police officer, shot his daughter with his gun after an argument, and committed suicide.

Lawyer Eren Keskin, who is supporting and representing Kulaksiz, stated that during the last six months, ten out of 20 applications to the Human Rights Association (IHD), with allegations of domestic violence, came from families of police officers.

Kulaksiz held a press conference at the IHD Istanbul branch and said that she was unable to pay for the hospital expenses of her severely injured daughter. Kulaksiz asked for help for her daughter, who could be held hostage at the hospital.

Dondu Kulaksiz recounted that on October 9, 2002, his retired husband Huseyin Kulaksiz had an argument with their daughter Havva Cevahir Kurucayir. As a result of the argument, the retired police officer shot and severely injured his daughter and his former business partner Engin Turk. Then, the retired police officer committed suicide.

"He shot her because I wanted a divorce"

Kulaksiz stated that she went through intensive domestic violence in the last five or six months of her marriage. With her lawyer Eren Keskin, Kulaksiz applied to get a divorce. According to Kulaksiz, her daughter was shot because she supported her decision to get a divorce.

Havva Cevahir Kurucayir is not in intensive care anymore but is still kept in a Taksim hospital according to Kulaksiz.

Kulaksiz said that she was afraid her daughter would be held hostage at the hospital because she was unable to pay for her expenses. Kulaksiz asked for aid through the media.

Kulaksiz also called on the authorities to seize the weapons of retired police officers.

Domestic violence is very common

Lawyer Eren Keskin stated that domestic violence in Turkey was very common. Keskin said that 20 people had applied to the IHD with claims of domestic violence, and half of those applications came from families of police officers. (BB/NK/EA/NM)