30.04.2026 16:32
Yusuf Ündeş, who killed his wife, whom he was in the process of divorcing, and his mother-in-law in Zonguldak, said in court regarding the allegations of domestic violence against his wife: 'I also have bruises on my body, but they are not from hitting, they are from kissing.' The irritated presiding judge reacted by saying, 'Can kissing cause bruises on a person's body?' Two counts of aggravated life imprisonment were sought for the defendant.
A blood-curdling incident occurred on December 24, 2025, in Şirinköy Çalca neighborhood of Kilimli district, Zonguldak. Tülay Ündeş (45) and her mother Zaide Alkaç (64), returning from visiting a sick relative, encountered Yusuf Ündeş (46) on a bridge near their home.
KILLED HIS WIFE AND MOTHER-IN-LAW
Yusuf Ündeş, who was in the process of divorcing Tülay Ündeş, pointed a rifle he took from his car at his wife and mother-in-law and opened fire. As the mother and daughter collapsed in blood, Yusuf Ündeş fled. Tülay Ündeş and Zaide Alkaç died, and Yusuf Ündeş was apprehended in Kilimli district. Ündeş was arrested by the court.
The trial began at the Zonguldak 2nd Heavy Penal Court. At the second hearing held today, the detained defendant attended via SEGBIS, while the three sons and father of the deceased Tülay Ündeş, along with the lawyers, were present in the courtroom.
WITNESSES SAID THE DECEASED WOMAN WAS ABUSED
The hearing began with witness testimonies. Tülay Ündeş's sister A.D. (39) stated that her sister experienced economic, physical, and sexual violence from her husband, which she recounted to her, and she saw her bruises. She said she did not directly witness death threats but knew of implied threats like 'Just try to divorce me.' Neighbor H.T. (37), who described Tülay Ündeş's suffering from violence, said, "When I wanted to hug her, she pushed me away, saying 'I've been lying too much on my right side, it hurts.' Since I knew she was being abused, while she was making coffee, I opened her shirt, and her whole body was bruised. I witnessed their domestic fights. I didn't hear hitting sounds. Yusuf and I were neighbors. When my friend wanted to leave, Yusuf would say 'Grave, grave, dirt, dirt.' He said it in front of me too."
DEFENSE THAT ANGERED THE COURT PRESIDENT
Defendant Yusuf Ündeş, denying allegations of abusing his wife, said, "When they say I abused my wife, they say 'We didn't see it.' They claim they saw bruises. I wish she had filed a complaint so I could prove myself. I have bruises on my body too, but they're not from hitting, they're from kissing." Upon this defense, the court president said, 'Does a person get bruises on their body from kissing?' Defendant Yusuf Ündeş replied, 'I swear I didn't abuse my wife. I am very sorry and regretful for this incident.'
"I BEGGED NOT TO TEST ME WITH MY SON"
Yusuf Ündeş, claiming his son was turned against him, said, "I begged Tülay Hanım, her mother, and father to prevent my 15-year-old child from becoming a father-killer. I told her father and mother, 'You shoot me.' I said, 'Have your brother shoot me.' On the day of the incident, I begged, 'Don't do this, don't test me with my son.' When they last said, 'Your death is near, you will die,' I don't remember what happened next, and these events occurred. I loved my wife very much, I am very regretful."
"THERE WASN'T EVEN CHEESE IN OUR FRIDGE"
The defendant's son U.Ü. (14) said, "He claims 'I was taking care of my family,' but there wasn't even cheese in our fridge. His saying 'I take care of my family' is all lies. He was retired from TTK and had no debt. He wouldn't give us money. He never once said to me, 'Here's 10 lira, buy a cake or something.' My mother's work clothes were always torn; he wasn't supporting his family."
DEMAND FOR 2 AGGRAVATED LIFE SENTENCES
The prosecutor presented their opinion in court. The opinion requested that Yusuf Ündeş be sentenced to 2 aggravated life imprisonments for the crimes of 'premeditated murder of a spouse and a woman' against Tülay Ündeş and 'premeditated murder of a woman' against mother-in-law Zaide Alkaç. The hearing was adjourned, giving lawyers time to prepare a defense against the opinion.