Former PM Tansu Çiller's daughter-in-law files complaint against husband over violence

Duvar English

Former prime minister Tansu Çiller's daughter-in-law Zeynep Çiller has filed a complaint against her husband Mert Çiller over violence, as number of violence against women cases continues to increase dramatically.

Zeynep Çiller filed for divorce and requested custody of her children after months long physical and psychological violence of Mert Çiller, daily Sözcü reported on July 23.

Mert Çiller was handed a restraining order and is currently banned from going to his home in Istanbul.

Strikingly, former PM Çiller, who owns the house that the couple lived in, filed a complaint for the house to be evacuated after her daughter-in-law's complaint. The court ruled for the evacuation of the house and Zeynep Çiller and her two children were kicked out as a result.

According to the complaint seen by the daily, Zeynep Çiller, who got married in 2009, said that Mert Çiller was using drugs and excessive amount of alcohol.

Women in Turkey report 30,000 cases of violence in two years

One of the most recent instances of violence took occurred on May 5, when Mert Çiller heavily beat his wife, prompting Zeynep Çiller to leave the house with her children and seek refuge in their neighbors.

The neighbors then called the police, but the former PM arrived at the scene with her lawyer to prevent police from carrying out their duties, the daily said, adding that Tansu Çiller threatened her daughter-in-law to stop her from filing a complaint.

Mert Çiller has also repeatedly cheated on his wife, the complaint said, adding that he received treatment for alcohol addiction in the past under fake names thanks to Tansu Çiller's political power.

Report prepared to urge Erdoğan to withdraw from Istanbul Convention includes archaic remarks on gender