**Funeral Held for Woman Murdered by Ex-Husband in Trikomo**
The funeral of Saliha Ozkol, a woman tragically murdered by her ex-husband, took place on Tuesday afternoon in Ayios Georgios, near Trikomo, where she resided. The community gathered to pay their respects, with notable attendees including Dursun Oguz, the ‘interior minister’ of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Trikomo Mayor Hasan Sadikoglu, and Sila Usar Incirli, the leader of the opposition party CTP.
During the service, Incirli emphasized the urgent need for systemic change to combat violence against women, stating, “Femicides are political.” She highlighted the necessity of establishing a comprehensive system aimed at protecting women and preventing violence. “Unless a comprehensive system is established and effectively implemented to protect women, prevent violence, and combat its many forms, femicides and violence against women will continue,” she warned. Incirli called for the enforcement of laws, allocation of necessary resources, and accountability for those responsible for such tragedies, framing these issues as a political responsibility.
Saliha Ozkol was murdered in her home on Monday morning by her ex-husband. Following the incident, he reportedly inflicted serious injuries on himself and was subsequently taken to a hospital in Famagusta.
Reports indicate that Ozkol had previously faced violence from her ex-husband in 2024, during which she was knocked unconscious. The situation escalated to legal action, with her ex-husband appearing in the Turkish Cypriot Famagusta district court on July 21 of the previous year. He faced multiple charges, including trespassing, assault, illegal possession of a knife, battery, and failure to comply with a restraining order that Ozkol had obtained against him.
In response to the ongoing threats to her safety, a new restraining order was issued by the Turkish Cypriot Trikomo family court on August 15, which prohibited him from being within 200 meters of Ozkol or communicating with her in any manner. Following the assault case, he was sentenced to three months in prison.
The community's response to Ozkol's murder reflects a growing awareness of the pervasive issue of violence against women in society. The funeral not only served as a memorial for Ozkol but also as a rallying point for advocates calling for stronger protections and systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.
As discussions surrounding femicide and domestic violence continue, the need for effective measures and support systems for victims remains critical. The tragic loss of Saliha Ozkol has reignited conversations about the responsibilities of institutions and authorities in safeguarding individuals from domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable.