Man remanded after alleged killing of wife near Nicosia-Morphou motorway

Nicosia, Cyprus. A 41-year-old man appeared before the Turkish Cypriot Nicosia district court for a second time on Wednesday in connection with the death of his 35-year-old wife, Rukiye Tuncer, in a field near the Nicosia-Morphou motorway.

Police told the court that Tuncer died following an alleged attack after an argument between the couple while travelling towards Nicosia on Saturday.

Court testimony

According to Yeniduzen, a police representative said an argument began at around 6pm on Saturday while the couple were travelling towards Nicosia.

The vehicle then careered into a field near the Yerolakkos industrial area, the representative said. The man allegedly repeatedly struck Tuncer on the head with a rotary saw, killing her.

Police searched the man’s home after his arrest and found no illegal evidence on the premises, the representative said.

Investigation continues

An autopsy concluded that Tuncer died from tissue damage caused by head trauma, according to the police representative.

Police are examining local CCTV footage and mobile phone records connected to the incident. Judge Gizem Erciyes ordered the man to remain in custody for a further eight days while the investigation continues.

Calls for action

Tuncer’s death was the second killing of a woman under Turkish Cypriot authorities within a week. Sixty-one-year-old Saliha Ozkol was stabbed to death by her 71-year-old former husband on Monday last week.

On Monday evening, banners reading “I do not want to die” appeared at locations around the island, including on the Nicosia-Morphou motorway. They were placed by the women’s branch of Turkish Cypriot opposition party CTP.

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman called for an action plan to protect Turkish Cypriot women from violence.