Are elderly Armenian women victims of hate crimes?
The trial of a man arrested after a string of attacks against elderly Armenian women in Istanbul is rekindling fears that a racist gang may be at large in the city.
A string of attacks against elderly Armenian women occurred in Istanbul in late 2012 and early 2013. The victims were all lone octogenarians. Two of them were badly battered and lost their sight, while a third was stabbed to death after a brutal beating.
The first victim, Turfanda Asik, 87, lost an eye as a result of a severe beating at the hands of an assailant who broke into her home. The assailant — or perhaps the assailants — took nothing from the apartment.
Shortly after, Maritsa Kucuk, 84, was found dead in her home, stabbed seven times and badly beaten. Only the earrings and other jewelry she usually wore were missing, while money was left untouched.
The third victim, Sultan Aykar, 83, was knocked down by an assailant approaching from behind while she unlocked the door to her home. Thanks to neighbors who heard the noise and rushed to help, she survived the attack but also lost an eye.
