Strange Defense from Man Who Killed His Pregnant Wife: I Was Seeing Azrael, the Three-Lettered Beings Inside the House.

In the incident that took place in Kavaklı Neighborhood, Seyhan district of Adana on October 29, 2023, a dispute broke out between Emrah Demir (28) and his 1-year-old wife, 7-month pregnant Hatice Demir (20) in the late hours of the night. The argument, which lasted all night, turned into a fight in the early morning. Emrah Demir covered his wife's face with his hand so that she wouldn't scream. After a while, seeing that his wife remained motionless, Demir went out to the street and shouted to his neighbors, "I think I killed my wife."

Police and medical teams dispatched to the address with the report determined that Hatice Demir had died. Emrah Demir, who was taken into custody, said in his statement, "After coming home from work, we had dinner with my parents who live downstairs, then we went upstairs. While I was watching TV, my wife said she wanted to go to bed and left. After a while, she came back to me and said she couldn't sleep. I said, 'Come, let's watch TV together.' She objected to that and started an argument. I don't remember what happened afterwards," said Emrah Demir, who was arrested at the courthouse where he was referred.

The trial against Emrah Demir, who was charged with 'intentional murder of his wife', continued at the 3rd Heavy Penal Court of Adana. The defendant Emrah Demir attended the hearing via the Audio and Visual Informatics System (SEGBİS) from the prison where he was detained. The presiding judge at the hearing, where Hatice Demir's mother Belgin, father Ali Turgut, and the lawyers of the parties were present, said that a report regarding the defendant Emrah Demir's mental health had been sent from Dr. Ekrem Tok Mental Health and Diseases Hospital, and that the report stated that the defendant's mental health was sound.

"I DON'T REMEMBER DUE TO DRUGS"

Later, the defendant Emrah Demir was given the floor and he stated that he was a drug addict and got married late in order not to harm anyone. The defendant Demir, who stated that he did not fully remember how he killed his wife due to drugs, said, "I am a drug addict. I want to receive treatment. I constantly hit my head against the walls in prison. I don't want to harm anyone. I don't remember that night. My mother-in-law and father-in-law are my parents until I die, I am very sorry for causing them pain. May they rest in peace. I offer my condolences to the deceased lady, my wife. The reason for me killing my wife is my drug addiction. That night, inside the house where I came after taking drugs, I saw Azrael and the three-lettered beings. A talisman was written for me. Damn the sorcerer who wrote the talisman for me," he said.

"GIVE THE HARSHEST PUNISHMENT"

Ali and Belgin Turgut, the parents of Hatice Demir, complained against the defendant and demanded the harshest punishment. The lawyers of the Women Will Stop Murders Platform, who took over the representation of Hatice Demir's parents, also stated that the defendant killed both his wife and their unborn baby, saying, "The defendant has killed 2 people. In addition, he waited by her side for his wife to die and prevented those who wanted to enter and called an ambulance. We demand that the defendant be punished twice for the crime of 'intentional murder'," they said.

The prosecutor requested the continuation of the defendant's detention and asked for time to present his opinion on the merits. The court decided to send the case file to the prosecutor for the preparation of the opinion on the merits and for the continuation of the detention of the defendant Emrah Demir. The hearing was adjourned for the completion of deficiencies.

"WHERE DO THEY GET THIS COURAGE FROM?"

The lawyers of the Women Will Stop Murders Platform provided information about the trial at the courthouse. Lawyer Şirin Şeyma Bulut said, "Law No. 6284 and the Istanbul Convention keep women alive and act as a deterrent to perpetrators. You can only protect women and children with laws and fair trials. We call on all women to join the campaign we started a few days ago to implement Law No. 6284 and to establish a life free from violence, equality, and freedom. We are in the courthouses for the sake of justice. Where do they get this courage from?" she said.