October 2006

Sazan Bajuez Abdullah came to Germany from Kurdistan after being forced into an arranged marriage with Kazim Mahmud. She bore one child by him, but after years of an abusive relationship, and an attempt to kill her by strangulation, Sazan obtained a restraining order against Kazim and filed for divorce. On October 25, 2006, the settlement was finalized at 2:30pm. She told a friend it was “the happiest day of her life”. Three hours later she was dead; stabbed 13 times by her ex-husband, doused in gasoline and lit on fire – all in broad daylight in the middle of the street.

Kazim Mahmud admitted to the murder, claiming religion and culture and honour as the reasons for his actions. He is facing a life sentence.

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