Justice pursuit in Türkiye: Anastasia Emelianova’s murder suspect flees to Syria
The murder case of Anastasia Emelianova has taken a new twist as the suspect, Mohammad Nizar Arnabeh, allegedly fled to Syria, Jan. 13, 2024. (Created with Canva)
The case of Russian national Anastasia Emelianova’s murder in Erzurum has taken a new turn.
Authorities accuse the primary suspect, Mohammad Nizar Arnabeh, of fleeing to Syria. Turkish courts have reopened the case after overturning an earlier acquittal.
Who was the murder victim, Anastasia?
- Anastasia Emelianova, 33, moved to Türkiye from Russia after the Russia-Ukraine war began
- She settled in Erzurum and worked as an IT specialist
- She was known for her outspokenness and activism regarding women’s rights, violence against women and domestic abuse
- Emelianova met Mohammad Nizar Arnabeh, a 29-year-old Syrian barista, through social media, and they became friends, frequently spending time together.
What went wrong:
- On Sept. 20, 2023, neighbors in the Yakutiye district heard an argument between the two in Emelianova’s apartment
- Hours later, Arnabeh approached a neighbor and said Emelianova was injured and needed help
- Emergency services arrived, but they found Emelianova dead from blood loss.
Authorities detained Arnabeh on the same day.
Turkish court overturns earlier acquittal in murder trial
Prosecutors charged Arnabeh in the Erzurum First High Criminal Court with premeditated murder against a woman. Arnabeh denied the charges.
The court initially acquitted him, citing insufficient evidence, and ordered his release.
However, Anastasia Emelianova’s family appealed the decision. The Erzurum Regional Court of Justice overturned the acquittal, citing inconsistencies in Arnabeh’s statements, and ordered a retrial.
Suspect in Anastasia Emelianova’s murder case skips court appearance after fleeing Türkiye
Arnabeh and his lawyers did not appear at the retrial’s first hearing. The court postponed the case and issued an arrest warrant.
The family’s lawyer, Aziz Emre Yilmaz, said Arnabeh likely fled to Syria and may have moved to another country.
“We suspect he initially went to Syria and could have traveled elsewhere. A red notice request has been filed through Interpol to aid in his capture,” Yilmaz stated.
Call for justice in Russian woman Anastasia’s murder
The family’s lawyer, Yilmaz, stressed the family’s commitment to seeking justice. He explained that Arnabeh must return to court to address conflicting testimonies. “The grieving mother’s only request is for the truth to come out,” Yilmaz said.
Turkish authorities have alerted law enforcement agencies to monitor border crossings and track Arnabeh’s movements.
Interpol is expected to expedite efforts to locate and detain him. The court will focus on resolving procedural issues and ensuring justice for Emelianova.
