2025 July Report* 

31 Femicides and 30 Suspicious Deaths of Women in July 

The fight to stop femicides in Turkey has been going on for 15 years. As the Platform, since we identified the need in 2010, we have been disclosing femicide data to the public. Instead of explaining how many women have been killed, why, how and by whom, the Ministry of Interior distorts the facts by saying that the data on femicides are incorrectly prepared. It is the duty of the state not only to disclose the reality of femicides and suspicious deaths of women but also to implement concrete solutions to stop femicides. We will continue to fight for the mobilization of all relevant ministries and mechanisms to fulfil this duty. 

The reason behind 16 femicides could not be determined 

This month, 31 femicides were committed, and 30 women were found suspiciously dead. 11 women were killed on the pretext of wanting to make decisions about their own life, such as wanting a divorce, refusing to reconcile, refusing to marry, or rejecting a relationship, and 4 women were killed on economic pretexts. The reason behind 16 of the 31 femicides could not be determined. The inability to determine the excuse behind the murder of 16 women is the result of violence against women and femicides being rendered invisible. Unless it is determined by whom and why women were killed, unless a fair trial is conducted and the suspects, defendants and murderers are given deterrent punishments and unless preventive measures are implemented, violence continues to increase in size. 

By whom were the women killed? 

Of the 31 women killed in July, 8 were killed by the man they were married to, 5 by the man they were with, 4 by the man they used to be married to, 4 by a relative, 3 by the man they used to be with, 2 by an acquaintance, 2 by their brother, 1 by her son and 1 by her father. The relation of the perpetrator could not be determined for one woman. This month, 65% of the women who were killed were killed by a male family member. 

Women were mostly killed in their homes 

23 of the women were killed at their homes, 2 in the middle of the street, 1 on a waterfront, 1 at her workplace, 1 at a public space and 1 in a field. It could not be determined where 2 women were killed. 74% of the women killed this month were killed in their homes. 

Women were mostly killed with firearms 

15 of the women killed this month were killed with firearms, 9 with sharp objects, 3 by being beaten to death, 1 by strangulation and 1 by being crushed with a train. 48% of the women killed this month were killed with firearms. 

We would like to share the names of the women, each of whom was a life: 

Femicide data in the month of July, by city: 

Impunity Policies Encourage Perpetrators and Kill Women. 

Impunity in femicide cases is the most acute form of injustice we see today. Perpetrators are either never brought to trial, acquitted in court, or their crimes are covered up by claiming that the women committed ‘suicide’. This climate of impunity paves the way for new femicides and encourage perpetrators. 

In 2023, Ece Gül Övezova fell to her death from the sixth floor of an apartment building in Diyarbakır. The incident was suspicious. The main suspect, former police officer Cemil Koç, was released after giving his statement. Two years passed, and the same perpetrator killed Ayşe Tokyaz this time. In Diyarbakır, İlayda Alkaş was killed by Cemal Alparslan. The perpetrator fled and was not caught. Only nine days later, his close friend Siyabend Şeker killed Helin Eren. The fact that they were friends shows how each day that justice is not served encourages perpetrators. In the Pınar Bulunmaz case, all the evidence points to murder: the bruises on her body, the fact that the gun was not fired by her, conflicting witness statements… But still, not a single person has been punished. The failure to conduct effective investigations into the suspicious deaths of women encourages perpetrators and leads to the recurrence of similar crimes. We will not allow murders to be covered up, we will reveal the truth behind the suspicious deaths of women! 

While the perpetrators remain at large, those seeking justice are being punished. Just like in the case of 11-year-old Rabia Naz Vatan… While the truth behind Rabia Naz's death has yet come to light, her father Şaban Vatan, who has been fighting for justice for his daughter, has been prosecuted and sentenced to prison. It is not the perpetrators who are being tried, but those seeking justice. 

Women are killed every day in this country; the truth behind their deaths are not revealed, either labelled as ‘suicide’, dismissed due to ‘lack of evidence’ or ignored altogether. Impunity is injustice. We will continue to speak out against this system, where those who fight for women's right to life are prosecuted instead of the perpetrators. 

Disasters change, negligence remains the same 

There are fires all over the country. Forests, villages, animals, and people are trapped in the flames. Rescue workers are losing their lives. We experience the same pain every year, but still no measures are being taken. Firefighting aircraft are inadequate, early warning systems and crisis management plans are lacking. Every year, we are caught unprepared for disasters. The response to disasters is delayed, responsibility is not taken, and truth is covered up. These fires are not fate. These deaths could have been prevented. It is no coincidence that the same thing happens every year; it is clear negligence. Those responsible remain silent and do not speak. But we will not remain silent. 

Case Developments of July 

In the case of Şeyda Nur Bulut, who was stabbed and seriously injured by Murat Bulut, the man she was in the process of divorce, the perpetrator was sentenced to 20 years in prison without any reduction, for ‘attempted murder’. 

In the case of Gözde Madi, who was killed by Serdar Karamus, the man she was in the process of divorce, the perpetrator was sentenced to aggravated imprisonment without reduction, for the crime of ‘premeditated murder’ and to 2 years and 6 months for ‘possession of a weapon’. 

What happened regarding women in July? 

The Italian Senate has approved a new bill that would impose life imprisonment on perpetrators of femicide. According to the bill, anyone who causes the death of a woman through “acts of discrimination or hatred against the victim because she is a woman” or “with the aim of preventing a women from exercising her rights, freedoms or personhood” will be sentenced to life imprisonment. 

Under the pretext of the ‘Year of the Family’, the government continues to target LGBTQI+ individuals and women. It was revealed that in all applications made through CİMER, a survey is presented including the question, “In your opinion, which public policy should be prioritized to protect the family?”, and among the options provided are, “fighting against LGBT,” “encouraging marriage,” and “increasing birth benefits.” 

We Will Stop Femicides Platform workshops are coming back! You can participate in the workshops, which are to be held in various places in Istanbul and Ankara, by filling out the form on the link on our Instagram account. 

Sexual Violence Increases, Impunity Protects Perpetrators 

In Istanbul, Fatih P. and Sait A., who were on trial for sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl, were acquitted by the court on the grounds that they “did not know the child’s age” and that “the child looked older than she was.” 

It was revealed that 50-year-old Ramazan Barkın, who worked at a coal mine in Şırnak, sexually abused a 13-year-old child. It was reported that the perpetrator fled the scene and has not yet been found. The child has been taken into state custody. 

It was reported that four children in Diyarbakır were systematically tortured by members of their family. Although the Diyarbakır Bar Association’s Child Rights Center submitted an application to the Ministry of Family and Social Services with video evidence, their request for emergency protection was rejected. Following a criminal complaint filed by the Association, the Ministry announced that an investigation had been launched. 

Mehmet Deniz Önal, owner of a training center in Istanbul, was arrested after a raid on his home uncovered correspondence and more than 100 video recordings showing him abusing girls. He was arrested by the court. 

Suspicious deaths of women should be revealed immediately 

As we have been stating in our reports for a while, there is a very serious increase in the number of suspicious deaths of women presented as suicides or natural deaths and in the number of women who were found suspiciously dead during the pandemic. Unfortunately, shedding light on the suspicious deaths of women can be even more difficult than femicides. It is necessary to reveal whether women were killed, whether they were killed by accident, whether women were killed on the basis of gender (whether it was femicide), whether they committed suicide or whether they were driven to suicide. 

In Sinop, 35-year-old Banu Arslan died after falling from a height. 

In Kocaeli, 26-year-old Nermin A., mother of two, was found shot in the head. 

In Diyarbakır, Ece Gül Övezova died in 2023 after falling from a height. The suspect Cemil Koç was released. Since he was later found guilty in the murder of Ayşe Tokyaz, the case of Ece Gül is now reopened. 

In Çanakkale, 63-year-old Dinara Alya Urkasimova was found dead in her home, wrapped in cling film. Metin K., the man she was with, was taken into custody. 

In Aydın, 35-year-old Muattar Alieva was found shot dead with a firearm at the nightclub where she worked. She died in the hospital. The club owner, Reşit Y., was taken into custody. 

In Istanbul, an elderly woman was found dead in a shed in a burned area. The man she was married was taken into custody for allegedly starting the fire. 

In Diyarbakır, 44-year-old Meliha Kaya, mother of five, was reported to have died by suicide. However, it was revealed that she had been subjected to violence for years by the man she was married to, and her children stated, “Our mother’s killer is our father.” 

The stories of the life struggles of the 31 women killed in July 

In Istanbul, 53-year-old Özlem Özayyıldız was killed when she fell to the ground and hit her head on marble after being punched by Nazım Özayyıldız, the man she was married to, during an argument. 

In Diyarbakır, Siber Narin was shot dead with a firearm by Nuri Narin, the father of the man she was married to. A child was also injured during the incident. 

In Amasya, 30-year-old Kader Köse, mother of four, was shot dead with a firearm by Yunus Köse, the man she was married to and who had recently been released from prison. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon. 

In Antalya, 19-year-old university student Nazife Ateş was stabbed 17 times and killed by her brother Mehmet Ateş. Her mother was also injured. 

In Zonguldak, 35-year-old Özlem Bostancı, mother of one, was killed with a sharp object by Engin Bostancı, the man she was married to. 

In Samsun, 44-year-old Sevda Türker was beaten by Kemal Gündoğdu, the man she was with, under the pretext that she worked at an entertainment venue. She died in the hospital 22 days later. The autopsy determined that she died of a brain hemorrhage. 

In Istanbul, 43-year-old Songül Budak, mother of two, was shot dead with a firearm by A. B., the man she was in the process of divorce. 

In Ardahan, 34-year-old Yeliz Y., mother of two, was reported missing six years ago. It was known that she had gone to her family’s house after being subjected to violence by the man she was married to. The investigation revealed that Yeliz was shot dead with a firearm and buried by a riverbank along with the crime weapon by E. Y., the man she was married to. 

In Ankara, 42-year-old Kezban Demirci was shot dead with a firearm by three male acquaintances. Her 12-year-old son survived the incident by pretending to be dead. The perpetrators were arrested. 

In Malatya, 25-year-old Eylem Yeşilkaya was stabbed to death by Özcan Yeşilkaya, the man with whom she was in unofficial religious matrimony. The perpetrator was taken into custody. 

In Istanbul, 22-year-old university student Ayşe Tokyaz was found dismembered inside a suitcase. The investigation revealed that former police officer Cemil Koç was the perpetrator. He and six others were arrested. 

In Bartın, 46-year-old Fati Asan was stabbed to death by Erdinç Asan, the man she had divorced a month ago. The perpetrator also severely injured her daughter Ebru Emeksizoğlu. The perpetrator was caught. 

In Diyarbakır, 22-year-old İlayda Alkaş was shot dead with a firearm by Cemal Alparslan, the man she used to be with. İlayda had been subjected to systematic violence and death threats for a long time. Her family stated that she had applied for a protection order for this reason. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Diyarbakır, 14-year-old Rojda A. was beaten to death by her brother Z. A.. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Istanbul, 26-year-old Gönül Çelen, mother of two, was found dismembered on train tracks 20 years ago. It was revealed that she was murdered. Upon the reopening of the case, an examination by the Forensic Medicine Institute determined that Gönül had a blood alcohol level of 304 promille, and it was stated that it was impossible for someone with such a high blood alcohol level to have gone to the train tracks on their own. 

In Eskişehir, 29-year-old Shabana Solaiman Khil, mother of four, was killed by having her throat slit by A. S., the man she was with. The perpetrator was arrested. 

It was revealed that Aysun Derse, who went missing in 2022, was murdered by Metin Derse, the man she was married to, and his two brothers. 

In Istanbul, 67-year-old Aynur İşgüder was killed by having her throat slit by Muhittin İşgüder, the man she was married to. The perpetrator was taken into custody. 

In Izmir, 45-year-old Demet Akarsu was stabbed to death by Halil Tezkorkmaz, the man she used to be married to and against whom she had gotten a restraining order. It was learned that she had faced violence and death threats during the divorce process. The perpetrator was arrested. 

In Malatya, 36-year-old Selda Kaya was shot dead with a firearm by G. K., the man she used to be married to. The perpetrator, who was caught with the murder weapon, was taken into custody. 

In Manisa, 17-year-old Haniye Arab was strangled to death with a scarf by 23-year-old Nagıb Habibi, the man she was living with, under the pretext that she wanted to break up. 

In Kahramanmaraş, 45-year-old Nazlı Çokgezme was shot in the head and killed with a firearm by E. Ç., the man she was married to, while she was eating at her workplace. 

In Mersin, 67-year-old Belkıs Durmuş was stabbed to death by her son Ali Durmuş. 

In Diyarbakır, 19-year-old Helin Eren was shot dead with a firearm by S. Ş., the man she was living with. The perpetrator has not yet been caught. 

In Denizli, 40-year-old Nurcan Özkul was stabbed to death by Ali Özelmiş, the man she was with. The perpetrator then committed suicide by hanging himself. 

In Edirne, 29-year-old Semra Çelik, mother of three, was shot dead with a firearm by Zeki Doğan, the man she was with. It was revealed that Semra had met the perpetrator in Şanlıurfa and went to Edirne with him, and was killed under the pretext of wanting to return to her children. 

In Mersin, 56-year-old Türkan Söylemez and her 26-year-old daughter Aygül Çınar were shot dead with a firearm at their home by Ö. Ç., a male relative of the man Aygül was married. The perpetrator has not yet been caught. 

In Adana, 36-year-old Merve Verimli, mother of two, and her 8-year-old daughter Elif Verimli were shot dead with a service pistol by prison officer Eyüp Verimli, the man Merve was married to. Her 6-year-old daughter Şükran Eda survived by escaping the scene. 

In Hatay, 48-year-old Devrim Saf, mother of four, was shot dead with a shotgun by her relative Ferhat Saf, under economic pretexts. The perpetrator committed suicide with the same weapon. 

*Our Report: Every month, the news on violence against women in the press includes cases, new incidents and details about the women's movement. We compile the news reflected in the press and the applications that come directly to us, reach a number and prepare our report within this framework. We analyze, compile and evaluate our Femicide Report according to the concept of femicide. In other words, the conceptualization of femicide is; “the killing or forcing into suicide of individuals of the female gender, from embryo to fetus, infant to child, adult to elderly, by a man, simply because of their gender or on the pretext of their actions contrary to the gender stereotypes. and the perception of gender identity. Femicides should not be perceived sorely as murders in which people of the female gender are killed. In these murders committed with hatred, what is attacked is the female identity itself”