Attempted Murder in Duisburg: Mother Holds Woman by Her Hair While Son Stabs Her

Nadia
Age: 31
Attempted Murder: September 18, 2024
Residence: Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia
Origin: Bulgaria
Perpetrators: Veselin A., Fanka A.

On Wednesday afternoon, September 18, 2024, 34-year-old Veselin A. forced his way into the new apartment of his 31-year-old wife in Duisburg. Nadia had left him, filed for divorce, and had a new partner. Veselin was furious and wanted to kill her to restore the family honor.

In the apartment, Veselin stabbed his ex-wife with a knife. Nadia managed to break free and fled to a neighbor. Veselin broke down the door and continued stabbing her. Once again, Nadia managed to escape. She ran two floors down into the stairwell, where her mother-in-law was already waiting for her and grabbed her. The severely injured Nadia was held by her hair while Veselin stabbed her repeatedly.

Once again, Nadia managed to escape. She ran into the street, screaming for help. Neighbors from surrounding houses rushed to the scene and called the police. Veselin and his mother, Fanka A., fled.

Nadia was taken to the hospital with 15 stab wounds and underwent emergency surgery. Mother and son were arrested shortly after the attempted murder.

On March 11, 2025, the trial began at the Duisburg court. Both Veselin and his mother refused to give a statement. It is expected that the prosecutor will demand life sentences. Nadia is not the real name of the woman.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.