Honor killing

Gulsum was murdered, a German court in Kleve found, because she was no longer a virgin. Judges said the young woman's lifestyle was seen as an affront to the family honor.

The victim's father, who had moved the family from Turkey to Germany 15 years ago, reportedly began plotting along with his son to kill Gulsum after finding out that the young woman was no longer a virgin and had undergone an abortion.

Gulsum had apparently turned to German social workers for help, fearing what her family might do. Arrangements were made for her to live in an apartment. But she eventually returned to live at home.

"Gulsum became the victim of a terrible crime," head judge Christian Henkel said after the verdict. "This was the act of father and son, who both wished it and planned it."

The court sentenced Gulsum's 20-year-old brother to nine-and-a-half years in prison. The brother allegedly lured Gulsum to get into a car with him before picking up a friend of his. The two men then drove Gulsum to a secluded spot near their western German home close to the Dutch border, choked her with a rope and clubbed her to death.

More than 50 honor killings in Germany in past decade

The court expressed shock at the violent nature of the murder."This is a horrible act with a horrible outcome," Henkel said.

The accomplice, 37, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for his role in the crime.

German authorities have vowed to crack down on so-called "honor killings" by Kurds, Turks and other ethnic groups. German authorities say there have been 55 honor killings over the last nine years.

th/dpa/AP/APD/AFP

Editor: Susan Houlton