Husband sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for stabbing wife six times

A Turkish court has sentenced Nihat Arslan to aggravated life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his wife, Özlem Arslan, who was stabbed six times. The fatal attack occurred on February 2nd as Özlem, a mother of three, was leaving for her job at a market in İsmetpaşa Mahallesi.

Security camera footage and subsequent investigation revealed the assailant to be Nihat Arslan, Özlem's husband with whom she was in the process of divorcing. He was apprehended at a friend's house in Bodrum's Mumcular neighborhood. Arslan confessed to the crime, which occurred after he had been drinking and arranged for an acquaintance, M.Ç., to drive him to Milas.

The indictment detailed that Özlem Arslan had filed for divorce on May 29, 2024, and had secured three protection orders against Nihat Arslan. The couple was living separately during the divorce proceedings, and Nihat Arslan had reportedly been threatening Özlem. On the day of the murder, Nihat Arslan waited outside Özlem's home, disguised in a hooded jacket, mask, and gloves, before attacking her as she left for work.

Autopsy reports confirmed Özlem sustained six fatal stab wounds. Nihat Arslan reportedly disposed of his clothing and the murder weapon in a forest before being picked up by M.Ç. Both suspects were later arrested at Arslan's residence. The indictment also seeks up to 20 years imprisonment for M.Ç. on charges of aiding and abetting the murder.