16.07.2026 17:21
A verdict has been reached in the case of Aref Elhussein, a Syrian national defendant in custody, who stabbed and killed 45-year-old transgender individual Nida Nazlıer in the bathroom of her home in Antalya and stole her belongings. The defendant, who was caught after examining over 80 security cameras and whose claim in his defense of being sexually assaulted was disproven by a forensic report, was sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional murder without any reduction, and 7 years in prison for theft.
In Antalya, the detained defendant Aref Elhusseın (29), a Syrian national who murdered transgender individual Nida Nazlıer (45), was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime of 'Intentional Homicide'. The defendant was also given a 7-year prison sentence for 'Theft'.
The incident occurred on July 31 last year at around 17:00 on the first floor of a 5-story building on Cebesoy Street in the Zerdalilik neighborhood of Muratpaşa district. Halil İ. (23), who had left work, went to the home he shared with his friend Nida Nazlıer. Upon entering the house, Halil İ. found Nazlıer covered in blood in the bathroom. Following a report, teams arriving at the scene determined that Nida Nazlıer had died from knife wounds to the throat and both sides of the face. Halil İ., who found Nazlıer, and his friend H.H. (39), who had come to the house to get keys after a phone call, were taken into custody.
Homicide Bureau teams identified the suspect by examining over 80 security camera footage. Aref Elhusseın, a Syrian national determined to reside in the Güneş neighborhood of Kepez district, was captured in an operation. The suspect's identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
"I FLED WHEN I WAS COVERED IN BLOOD"
After giving statements, Elhusseın, along with Halil İ. and H.H., underwent a health check and were sent to the courthouse. During hospital procedures, a blood sample was taken from Aref Elhusseın, and his right hand was seen bandaged. In his statement, Elhusseın admitted his crime, saying he had agreed to a relationship with Nida Nazlıer, but during a quarrel, Nazlıer hit a mirror, breaking it, and attacked him with glass shards, causing him to be covered in blood, leading him to flee. Aref Elhusseın was arrested for 'Intentional Homicide', while Halil İ. and H.H. were released.
INDICTMENT PREPARED
In the prepared indictment, which also included his defense, Aref Elhusseın claimed that the victim, whom he confessed to killing, had sexually assaulted him. Following this claim, by a decision of the Antalya 2nd Criminal Court of Peace, the suspect underwent an internal body examination. The examination found no evidence of any sexual assault. It was stated that the defendant's claim was aimed at avoiding punishment. The indictment was accepted by the Antalya 4th Heavy Penal Court.
APPEARED BEFORE THE JUDGE AGAIN
The detained defendant Aref Elhusseın, who faced an aggravated life sentence on charges of 'Murder with monstrous intent and torture', appeared before the judge at the Antalya 4th Heavy Penal Court. Defendant Elhusseın said, "I ask for mercy. I am very sorry, and I regret going to her." Defendant Aref Elhusseın was sentenced to life imprisonment for 'Intentional Homicide' and 7 years in prison for 'Theft'. No reduction was applied to the defendant's sentence.