Femicide reported in occupied Northern Cyprus

On the morning of September 7, 2026, a 61-year-old woman identified as Saliha Ozkol was killed in the occupied area of Agios Georgios in Cyprus. The perpetrator, 71-year-old Mustafa Ak, reportedly attacked the woman with a knife in her home's courtyard around 6:40 a.m. Following the incident, the suspect was found severely injured in his home in Famagusta, having attempted suicide; he is currently being treated at Famagusta General Hospital.

Local media outlets report that the perpetrator and the victim were formerly married. Authorities have noted that the suspect was previously known to law enforcement, having served a prison sentence for domestic violence. The incident has triggered significant public outcry, with the women's branch of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) calling for the resignation of the administration. The organization has scheduled a protest outside the prime minister's office to demonstrate against ongoing violence and femicides in the region.

The CTP women's branch stated that the administration has failed to protect women, citing a previous attempted murder case from last month that remains under medical care. Protests are expected to continue as the community demands systemic change to address the escalating domestic violence crisis.