This 16-year-old Turkish girl has died after being shot by her married cousin when she turned down his proposal to become his second wife.
Emine Karakas, a high school student, was shot in the district of Bismil in the Turkish province of Diyarbakir on 4th February and was left hospitalised in critical condition when her alleged killer went on the run.
In a heartbreaking video before she died, she appealed for doctors to save her life.
She said: “I’m Emine, I’m 16 years old. I’ve been like this for months. Please heal me, my dear doctors. I hope you will heal me. I entered the hospital on a stretcher, and I hope I will go out on foot.
“You, too, will do your best to heal me. I’m sure of that. My brother works hard for me too. I love him so much. I really hope that you will heal me.
” Whatever it takes, we’re ready to do it. I trust you. You will do your best.
“I’ve been in the hospital like this for two months, I’ve never let myself give up. I trusted myself. I said I would be better. Please try your best to heal me.”
The victim’s cousin, Aslan Karakas, 37, had wanted her to be his second wife despite already being married and the father of seven children.
Under Turkish law, citizens can only marry one person, however, religious marriages are carried out by some men who want a second or third wife and these are accepted in some parts of society.
According to the news site Yerelin Gundemi, the suspect’s first wife was aware of his wish to marry his teen cousin and even supported the decision.
However, Emine refused his hand in marriage and said she saw him very much as a big brother and not a husband.
Infuriated at being rejected, Aslan reportedly confronted the teen and her mother Nurcan while they were out shopping on 4th February.
Without saying a word, the father-of-seven allegedly fired three shots at the teen and fled the scene.
Emine was taken to the Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital where she remained in a critical condition, but last week her family revealed that she had now died.
The victim’s mother said shortly before the death: “This man is a villain, please make my voice heard. Find this guy and punish him. My daughter doesn’t open her eyes anymore. She is going to die. Please do not let her die twice. Help us.”
The alleged killer has still not been caught and police have declined to comment on the case.