A heartbroken mother has told a court how her daughter was allegedly shot 12 times by her former religious husband after months of abuse, while the young woman’s father refused to complain against the accused killer.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, was gunned down in the Yenisehir district of Diyarbakir, a city in south-eastern Turkey, on 15th July.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, poses in undated photo. She was shot 12 times in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
She had been returning home with her family after a friend’s birthday party when her former religious husband Cemal Alpaslan, 30, allegedly opened fire in Sehitlik neighbourhood.
Ilayda collapsed in the street after being hit by bullets and was rushed by ambulance to Selahaddin Eyyubi State Hospital, where doctors were unable to save her.
Cemal fled after the shooting and was arrested five months later, on 15th December, at the Habur border gate in Sirnak while entering Turkey.
Cemal Alpaslan, 30, poses in undated photo. He killed his wife with 12 bullets. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
He was taken back to Diyarbakir and remanded in custody.
Now Cemal is being tried at Diyarbakir 7th High Criminal Court, where prosecutors are seeking an aggravated life sentence for premeditated murder against a divorced spouse.
The indictment says Cemal had sat in a cafe near the scene and waited for Ilayda to come home before the attack.
A post-mortem found 12 bullet entry wounds on different parts of Ilayda’s body.
But the hearing was marked by the strikingly different responses of İlayda’s parents.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, poses in undated photo. She was shot 12 times in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
Her mother Hulya Alkas told the court that her daughter had suffered months of violence and had been cut off from the outside world before her death.
She said Ilayda once called her and pleaded: “Come and save me.”
Hulya said she went to police and collected Ilayda before taking her to a women’s shelter.
But she claimed her daughter was later pressured and threatened into returning to Cemal’s home.
Hulya told the court that Ilayda came back to the family home in May with her face covered in bruises.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, poses in undated photo. She was shot 12 times in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
She claimed Ilayda had been beaten by Cemal and his family and had lost her baby after being assaulted while two months pregnant.
The mother said Ilayda later fled with her and her sister to Batman, Izmir and then Antalya because of death threats.
Recalling the day of the shooting, Hulya said Cemal had not exchanged any words with Ilayda before allegedly opening fire.
She told the court: “Cemal went straight into the building and opened fire.
“I have not been myself since the day Ilayda was killed.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, poses in undated photo. She was shot 12 times in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
“Since I saw that moment, I would not feel it even if a car hit me.
“I am complaining.”
But Ilayda’s father M.A. told the court that he had not seen his daughter being beaten and said he was not making a complaint against Cemal.
When Hulya asked him in court: “Is your conscience clear?”, he replied: “It is.”
Cemal told the court the shooting had happened suddenly and claimed he had lost control.
He said he had gone to Ilayda’s home after hearing she was in Diyarbakir.
Cemal claimed he saw an unknown male hand Ilayda a bag before she saw him and began shouting.
He told the court: “She insulted me and swore at me.
Ilayda Alkas, 22, poses with husband in undated photo. She was shot 12 times in Diyarbakir, Turkey. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
“When she said, ‘I had the baby aborted, it was not yours anyway,’ I lost control and fired.
“I do not remember how many shots I fired.
“I wish it had not happened.”
Asked why he had a gun, Cemal claimed he had enemies and carried the weapon for security.
Lawyers for the Ministry of Family and Social Services were allowed to join the case, but an application by Diyarbakir Bar Association’s Women’s Rights Centre was rejected.
A witness questioned by video link told the court they did not remember earlier statements about Cemal allegedly pointing the gun at them after shots were fired.
Prosecutors asked for Cemal to remain in custody and be jailed for life.
Lawyers for Ilayda’s family asked the court not to reduce any sentence.
The hearing was adjourned until 21st September for further defence submissions and witness evidence.
(Mike Leidig/Newsflash)
