The 1927 murder in
Turkey
Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country mainly located in Anatolia in West Asia, with a relatively small part called East Thrace in Southeast Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the north; Georgia (country), Georgia, Armen ...
of a 20 year-old
Jewish
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
woman named Elza Niego (, ) by a Turkish official sparked an anti-government demonstration at her funeral that authorities regarded as criminal.
The Turkish government alleged that the slogans used in the manifestations were against Turkishness. Following the demonstration, either nine or ten Jewish protestors were detained. They were released after thirty days.
Murder
Elza Niego (20) was a typist of the National Insurance Company of Turkey.
During a holiday at
Heybeli island, a Muslim Turkish official, Osman Ratıp Bey, fell in love with her.
Osman Bey, who was 30 years older than Elza, would follow Elza around the island.
In despair, Elza Niego cut short her vacation and went home. Niego eventually became engaged to a Jewish co-worker. Osman Bey, who was enraged by the engagement, pursued Elza Niego and stabbed her to death with a knife.
Osman Bey was so in love with Elza that he reportedly cut ties with his wives (one in
America
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, one in
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, and another in
Istanbul
Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...
), as well as his children and grandchildren. He stalked Elza for years. After a complaint to the police by Elza, Osman was arrested and imprisoned for months. After Osman Bey is released from prison, he regularly asks for Niego's mother's hand in their marriage. After being declined every time, coupled with Elza's engagement, Osman projects his anger after he stumbles upon Elza in
Bankalar Caddesi, Istanbul, pulling out his knife and immediately rushing towards her, slitting her nose and throat. Elza Niego was immediately killed (on 17 August, 1927), and her sister, Rejin, was heavily injured.
Aftermath
During the funeral, a demonstration was held in opposition to the Turkish government.
This sparked an
anti-Semitic reaction in the Turkish press. Nine protestors were immediately arrested under the charge of "insulting the Turkish Republic", but were acquitted from charges in their first trial.
Soon thereafter, a second trial against the aforementioned nine Jews, including a Russian witness to the murder, was initiated. The defendants were arrested, and four of them were sentenced for the offense of "insulting Turkishness".
Osman Ratıp Bey, on the other hand, was quickly arrested and charged with murder. His plea of insanity was accepted in court in 1928, and he was indefinitely placed in the newly-opened
Bakırköy mental hospital. On 22 February, 1935, he escaped the hospital, but was apprehended after a 24-hour search by police. He was murdered by another patient in the hospital in 1938.
See also
*
Istanbul pogrom
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niego, Elza
Turkish Jews
Jewish Turkish history
Antisemitism in Turkey
1927 in Turkey
Islam and antisemitism
1927 riots
1927 murders in Turkey
Violence against women in Turkey
Female murder victims
Murdered Jews
Typists
Incidents of violence against women