Femicide in Rodopi: Witness Recounts Years of Abuse and Threats

A 44-year-old woman in Rodopi has died after being stabbed by her estranged husband, with initial forensic reports indicating the attack was swift and brutal. The fatal wound, a deep stab to the left collarbone inflicted by a kitchen knife approximately 20 centimeters long, severed vital blood vessels and caused fatal hemorrhaging within minutes.

Evidence of a struggle preceded the fatal blow, as abrasions and bruises were found on the victim's body. Relatives have come forward to describe a history of abuse spanning years, painting a picture of fear and control. A cousin of the victim shared harrowing accounts, stating the husband repeatedly threatened to kill her, adding that if she left him, she would already be dead. This constant threat instilled deep fear for her children's well-being.

The victim had been awaiting official Greek identification for her children, intending to leave her husband once this was secured. Relatives provided financial support, as the husband allegedly withheld money and sold assets belonging to the victim. The threats extended beyond the victim, encompassing her children and other family members.

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She told him that she would kill her, that if she left him, she would already be dead. That's why she was very afraid for the children.

According to the cousin, the husband maintained an obsessive and suffocating control over the victim's life, restricting her communication with friends and family. He reportedly exhibited extreme jealousy, even towards her relatives, preventing any contact. The cousin also alleged physical and sexual abuse, noting that the victim had kept photographic evidence of past injuries on her phone. During arguments, the husband would allegedly break her phone, cutting off communication with her family for extended periods.

The investigation is now placing significant emphasis on the testimonies of the family's two younger children. With the assistance of child psychologists, they are expected to provide accounts of the day of the murder and their experiences of alleged domestic abuse over the years. The children are currently under the care of specialists and the police, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the femicide and analyze all gathered evidence.

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He was a sick, obsessive type who watched her everywhere. He was jealous even of her family members and did not allow her to contact anyone.