Woman who obtained a restraining order experiences horror: He planned it and came to kill me

Iryna Melnychuk D., a Turkish citizen of Ukrainian origin who has lived in Antalya for 14 years, filed a criminal complaint alleging that she was beaten with a club in the middle of the street by M.A.D., whom she married 1.5 years ago. Following the incident, the woman was taken to the hospital with fractures to her skull and signs of battery on many parts of her body.

Iryna claimed that her husband, who already had a restraining order against him, tried to kill her during the attack, and demanded that her husband, who she alleged carried out the attack with premeditation, be "punished with the heaviest sentence."

The incident occurred around 00:40 on the night of Saturday, July 5, in the Konyaaltı district. Iryna, who works shifts at a hotel, was getting off the shuttle after her night shift and was about to enter her home through the back door when she heard a sound behind her. Allegedly, M.A.D., who had hidden his face with a hat or hood, struck her on the head repeatedly with a club without saying a word.

During the attack, Iryna, who tried to protect her head with her hands, suffered multiple fractures in her left hand. Iryna Melnychuk D., who was taken to Antalya Training and Research Hospital due to injuries carrying the risk of brain hemorrhage, was treated in the hospital for 16 days. Iryna Melnychuk D., who had platinum and metal implants placed in her left hand, received staples in her head, and suffered tissue loss requiring aesthetic intervention, is still undergoing treatment.

Following the incident, M.A.D. was detained and arrested. However, in his statement to the prosecutor's office, M.A.D. denied the accusations, claiming he was at another house at the time of the incident and said, "I have no connection to my wife's injury. At the time of the incident, I was at the house of a person named D.D. in Lara. HTS records will reveal this."

"I AM AFRAID, MY LIFE IS NOT SAFE"

Iryna Melnychuk D. described what she went through as follows: "From the beginning of our marriage, I faced psychological pressure and threats. He was constantly threatening me with deportation. I had obtained a restraining order against him several times before. On June 30, he had forced his way into my home by calling a locksmith. On the night of July 5, as I was returning from work, he jumped from behind and hit me on the head. I fell to the ground, and he continued to hit me. Neighbors called an ambulance. My hand was shattered, and I had staples put in my head. I have been discharged from the hospital now, but I am still afraid while walking on the street. Believe me, when I walk on the street, I turn around and check; I came to the hospital, and even here, I look to see if people are walking behind me. I wait for them to pass in front of me. Because I am afraid now."

"HE PLANNED IT AND CAME"

Stating that she believes the attack was planned in advance, Iryna Melnychuk D. said, "He did it consciously, without using any substances. Because I no longer wanted him in my life. That is why he harmed me. As soon as I got out of the hospital, I filed for divorce. I have an 8-year-old daughter from someone else; I had to send my daughter to Ukraine, I cannot take my child with me until I recover."

"WE MUST NOT ALLOW IT"

Iryna Melnychuk D. expressed the awareness she gained after the attack with these words: "Unfortunately, I made such a mistake. Now I understand that it does not matter where you meet a person; you need to be very careful. You might have met at a hotel, he might work at a bank, but that does not mean he is a healthy person. In the past, the fact that someone worked in a certain place would give me confidence, but that is not the case."

"That is why I am calling out to all women living here: Be careful. If something like this happens to you and you can survive, share it wherever you can. Because such people should not be walking around outside. They should not be among people. They are not even human. One should not be afraid. We must not allow ill-intentioned people to walk among us."

Stating that she is fighting to ensure that the attack she experienced does not go unpunished, Iryna Melnychuk D. said, "I want him to receive the maximum sentence possible under the law."

"LET IT NOT GO UNPUNISHED"

In a post on her social media account, the victimized woman called for justice, saying, "M.A.D. planned it and came to kill me. He is inside now, but my life is not safe. This person works in the tourism sector. Let it not go unpunished."

"THIS IS NOT ONLY A LEGAL BUT ALSO A HUMAN STRUGGLE"

Iryna Melnychuk D.'s lawyer, Havva Nur Yağcı, drew attention to the severity of the trauma her client experienced in a statement made after the incident. Yağcı stated the following: "First of all, the extent of the physical and psychological trauma my client Iryna Melnychuk D. has experienced due to this grave and unimaginable attack is quite serious.

As a result of the battery, she suffered skull fractures, brain trauma, and numerous bone fractures; this situation led to her being in life-threatening danger. Her recovery process is currently ongoing. The criminal and legal process has been initiated by taking the matter to judicial authorities. We will use all legal means to ensure he is held accountable before justice and will follow the process to the end."

Stating that she is raising her voice not only as a lawyer but also as a woman in her statement, Yağcı continued: "This process is not just one person's struggle. I am making this statement not only as a lawyer but also as a struggle for a woman to hold onto life.

We must be the voice of hundreds of women in this country who remain silent in fear and are left in helplessness every day. Everyone who is subjected to violence should know that you are not alone. The law and we are by your side. Violence against women is, unfortunately, a serious wound in our society. But as long as such incidents are not covered up and the voice of justice is raised louder, this picture will change. The struggle we are conducting for my client is not only a legal but also a human responsibility."