Woman dies after alleged assault during domestic dispute in Yerolakkos

Yerolakkos, Cyprus. A 35-year-old woman died on Saturday afternoon after her husband allegedly struck her with an electric cutting tool during a domestic dispute near the Yerolakkos industrial area.

The death was the second femicide recorded in the occupied north within five days.

Alleged assault and investigation

According to Turkish Cypriot media, the couple were travelling on the Morphou-to-Nicosia road when a verbal altercation began.

Their vehicle left the road and travelled about 110 metres into a field, where the man allegedly struck his wife on the head with an electric cutting tool that was inside the car, causing her death.

Police said the suspect gave a statement after his arrest in which he admitted assaulting his wife with his hands and the tool.

Detention was requested to allow the investigation and post-mortem examination to continue. Neither the prosecution nor the defence objected.

Previous femicide

The case follows the death of a 61-year-old woman in Ayios Georgios in Karpasia, near Trikomo, on Monday.

She was allegedly stabbed to death outside her home by her 71-year-old ex-husband, who later attempted to take his own life and remains in hospital under guard.

Reactions

Turkish Cypriot Nicosia mayor Mehmet Harmanci said that “another woman was murdered in front of the eyes of the politicians responsible for the security of this country”.

Opposition leader Sila Usar Incirli said, “we are determined to change this system”, while the women’s support association Kayad renewed calls for the introduction of a domestic violence bill.