Turkey: Second hearing in the trial for the murder of Melek K adjourned

I’ve written before about the murder in April 2009 of Melek K (link here), and the subsequent arrest (link here) and first hearing in July 2009 (link here) of the suspected murderer, referred to as T.P.

At that first trial it was obvious that T.P’s lawyer was planning to use the same old ‘trans panic’ defence that we’ve heard too many times before in too many different courts in too many different countries. And sure enough, at the second hearing last week, as reported in Bianet, we heard it yet again:

I thought she was a woman. When she got undressed and I saw her genitals I killed her.

Melek’s lawyer was quick to point out the fundamental flaw in T.P’s defence: in the pictures of the crime scene, Melek K’s body was fully clothed. Consequently:

The hearing was adjourned to 15 October 2.00 pm for an investigation of the evidence.

After the hearing, KaosGL issued the following statement:

“We urge everybody to join the hearing. We should be sensitive about grievous provocations like suspects benefiting from mitigation of sentences and regulations within the legal framework for crimes of hatred. We should be sensitive about somebody easily daring to kill anybody for his or her personality. We call for living together despite differences, for an equal and free world and for defending life against death”.

I add my support to KaosGL’s announcement and hope that this undeclared war against transsexual women can be ended without further loss of life. Again, I send my condolences to the family and friends of Melek K.

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Curtsey to Stefani for the heads-up

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Previously related posts:

• Not-so-easy money (October 1, 2009)
• Easy money (September 29, 2009)
• Turkey: Trans novel banned (August 15, 2009)

Human rights violations against LGBT individuals in Turkey in 2008 (August 9, 2009)

Turkey: trials in connection with the murders of two trans women now under way (July 9, 2009)

Unsafe haven: LGBT asylum seekers and refugees in Turkey (July 8, 2009)

Turkey – new Chief of Police for Istanbul. Will this bring an end to the “undeclared war” against trans women? (June 15, 2009)

Turkish policemen on trial for attack on trans woman (May 29, 2009)

Turkey: another trans woman stabbed to death – UPDATE (May 29, 2009)

Turkey: another trans woman stabbed to death (May 25, 2009)

Turkish parliament questioned on trans safety (May 12, 2009)

Lambda Istanbul granted permission to continue operating (May 7, 2009)

Suspected murderer of trans rights activist arrested in Turkey (April 21, 2009)

Every 15 days, another trans person is murdered in Turkey (April 14, 2009)

The undeclared war against LGBTT people in Turkey continues (March 29, 2009)

Another trans woman murdered in Turkey (March 14, 2009)

Trans woman stabbed to death in Istanbul (March 12, 2009)

Lambda Istanbul wins appeal against closure (January 28, 2009)

Trans rights abuses in Turkey (November 29, 2008)

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