Trial Begins for Gelsenkirchen Man Accused of Stabbing Wife to Death

The 31-year-old is charged with murder after allegedly killing his wife in 2024 following her decision to separate.

The accused allegedly stabbed his 20-year-old wife more than 20 times in the neck and face on July 12, 2024, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Prosecutors argue the motive for the murder was the husband's inability to accept the victim's decision to separate from him.
Following the crime, the accused fled by car to Belgium, ramming several vehicles in Gelsenkirchen during his escape, before being apprehended by Belgian police.
The trial, which began on March 24, 2025, at the Essen Regional Court, is framed by prosecutors as a femicide driven by controlling behavior.
In court, the accused reportedly attempted to justify his actions by criticizing the victim's domestic behavior, including claims about cooking and cleaning.