Turkey: Murderer of Melek K sentenced to life imprisonment?

As far as I can tell from running this report (via Bianet) through Google Translate, the third hearing in the trial of the murderer of Melek K took place in Ankara on 15 October. The attempted trans panic defence was rejected and the accused, Tayfun P.’nin, sentenced to life imprisonment.

KaosGL say that it’s hoped that this will act to a deterrent to anyone else thinking of committing a transphobic hate crime.

Incidentally, the translation also suggests that Melek’s preferred name was Angel.

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Thanks to Stefani for the link

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ETA #1, 19 October: I have it on good authority that, if you translate the name Melek from Turkish to English, the name Melek translates to Angel. So, to clarify, Melek is a female Turkish name and the one she used; not Angel as I supposed in my original post.

ETA #2, 20 October: In the comments to this post, Hakan advises that Melek’s murderer is sentenced life in prison for murder and sentenced 10 years for theft. Like Hakan, I too hope the Turkish judges will take this decision into consideration against homophobic and transphobic hate crimes in future.

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Previously related posts:

• Turkey: Second hearing in the trial for the murder of Melek K adjourned (October 16, 2009)
• 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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