23.06.2025 19:26
The security camera footage of 55-year-old teacher Meltem Eken, who got into a taxi out of fear of being killed while fleeing from her estranged husband during their divorce, has emerged. In the footage, Eken can be seen saying, "He will kill me, please help." Kadri Eken, who shot and injured both the taxi driver and Meltem Eken, is facing a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Meltem Eken (55), who fled and got into a taxi out of fear of being killed by her estranged husband Kadri Eken (62) during their divorce process, was shot along with the driver. A prison sentence of up to 20 years is sought for Kadri Eken. As footage of the terrifying moments in the taxi emerged, Meltem Eken said, "He will kill me as soon as he gets out of prison. Please help me."
GOT INTO A TAXI OUT OF FEAR OF BEING KILLED
The incident occurred in June of last year in the Yıldırım district. Kadri Eken argued with his estranged wife Meltem Eken, who was waiting on the road and going through a divorce. After the argument, Meltem Eken fled in fear of being 'killed' and got into a passing taxi, asking the driver to take her to the police station.
MELTEM TEACHER AND TAXI DRIVER INJURED
Meanwhile, Kadri Eken chased after his wife and fired a gun he took out of a bag he was carrying. Meltem Eken, who tried to protect herself with her bag upon seeing the gun, and the taxi driver were injured by bullets that hit their right arms. The terrifying moments experienced by Meltem Eken and the taxi driver were captured on the vehicle's camera.
FOOTAGE ENTERED THE CASE FILE
After the incident, Kadri Eken was arrested and charged with 'attempted murder of his wife with premeditation', 'attempted murder', and 'possessing an unlicensed firearm', with a request for a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The camera footage of the attack in the taxi was also included in the case file. In his defense at the hearing at the Bursa 18th High Criminal Court, Kadri Eken claimed that the gun he was holding fired accidentally, saying, "I was going to the electricity office at 10:00 AM. I waited for her in front of my mother-in-law's house where my wife was staying to talk to her. When she came towards me, I said, 'Give me 2 minutes, I have something to say.' She suddenly started screaming. Then she got into a passing taxi. She sat next to the driver. When the driver cursed at me, I pulled out the gun. When Meltem kicked me from the open door of the taxi, the gun fired."
"I THREW MYSELF INTO THE ROAD"
While Kadri Eken's trial continues, Meltem Eken, who described the terrifying moments she experienced and is still going through a divorce, said: "I have been working as an English teacher for 30 years. On the day of the incident, I left home around 10:00 AM to go to my school. Just as I was crossing the street, my estranged husband Kadri Eken appeared in front of me with a bag in his hand. I panicked. We see in the news that ex-husbands pull women aside and say, 'Can we talk for a minute?' and randomly shoot at women everywhere. Suddenly, when I saw him, I panicked, threw myself into the road, and started screaming.
"HE AIMED AT MY HEAD, THE BAG PROTECTED ME"
No one helped me. By chance, I saw a taxi in front of the traffic lights. At that moment, my ex-husband was still running after me. I screamed and jumped into the taxi. I pleaded with the driver, saying, 'He will kill me.' My ex-husband caught up with me from behind. At that moment, he aimed at my head. Reflexively, I raised my bag to my head. I realized he would kill me. The bullet did not hit my head because of the bag; it entered my right wrist. The bullet that came from me hit the taxi driver's right elbow. I heard the man say, 'I was shot too.' The taxi driver suddenly drove away from there. Kadri Eken continued to run after me. He wanted to complete his unfinished act."
"HE THREATENED TO KILL ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGHOUT OUR MARRIAGE"
Meltem Eken, a mother of one, who said her husband constantly threatened her, stated, "Throughout my marriage, he constantly threatened to cut and kill me, my family, and my child. He carried a green knife. When he came home, he would put it on the table. I kept quiet, fearing something would happen to my child. The effects of the incident I experienced still continue. I am receiving treatment and taking medication. I cannot go to school or the market alone. I have lost my sleep. I constantly see him killing me," she said.
"MY COFFIN WILL BE CARRIED BY WOMEN"
Meltem Eken, who said she still cannot use her hand that was hit by the bullet and is living in fear of being killed, stated, "If he had carried out his act, I would be underground today. We women are human beings; we have professions. I am both a mother and a teacher. My life has turned upside down; I cannot use my hand, I cannot lift a kettle, I cannot turn my hand while performing ablution, I cannot scratch my back. I know that his hatred towards me continues. He will kill me as soon as he gets out of prison. My coffin will be carried by women. Please help me," she said.
"HE SET A TRAP FOR MY CLIENT"
Meltem Eken's lawyer, Özgür Abatay, pointed out that the defendant planned the incident, stating that the events leading up to the incident should also be evaluated during the trial process. Abatay said, "The defendant is planning before the incident, making decisions, and carrying out preparatory actions related to it. My client is ambushed just before going to work. Then, on the day of the incident, he is waiting for my client with the gun ready in the bag. The Supreme Court criteria state that a person must make a decision and plan. The defendant has done all of this. He did not take the gun to his waist for easy access and fired the ready gun. We are seeking justice. We want him to be punished severely with the support of the public. He must have thought, 'I will wear a suit as usual, cry, and act.' The other side gives contradictory statements at every hearing. We want the consequences of the attack on our client to be taken into account and no reductions to be applied," he said.