Murderer of Amsterdam daycare center owner gets 18-year prison sentence

DutchAmsterdam.nl — The Amsterdam Court has sentenced 44-year-old Nevzat Koyak to 18 years in prison for the murder of Turkish daycare center owner Arzu Çakmakçi-Erbas.

The sentence is lower than the 25-year prison term sought by the Justice Department.

It is also lower than the 22-year prison term the court handed down in November, 2010, which Nevzat K. had appealed.

The Court comments that the 18-year term is appropriate when compared to prison sentences typically imposed in the Netherlands in similar cases.

Murdered escaped prison in Turkey

Like his victim, Koyak was born and raised in Turkey, where he was convicted for murder and grievous bodily harm.

He escaped from prison in 2007 and fled to the Netherlands.

The court considers it proven that Koyak stabbed 32-year-old Çakmakçi-Erbas on August 10, 2009.

The murder took place in broad daylight in the parking lot of Moeders Schoot, the daycare center she owned and operated.

Koyak attacked Çakmakçi-Erbas from behind stabbing her nearly 20 times with a large knifes. He continued stabbing when, not just when she turned around and tried to defend herself, but also when she collapsed.

Motive remains mystery

The motive behind the murder remains a mystery as Koyak used his right to remain silent — as he did during his previous trial.

Authorities, who say Koyak is addicted to drugs and alcohol, earlier suggested possible motives could include a so-called ‘honor killing.’

Investigators learned that Çakmakçi-Erbas had a three-year long extramarital affair with Koyak’s nephew — a business partner with whom she ran a construction company. Such a relationship would not be allowed in Turkey.

Another possible motive is that the nephew, whose construction company at times employed Koyak, owed him money.

Turkey has requested Koyak’s extradition so that her can serve the 9 remaining years of his original prison sentence. He also faces an additional sentence for his escape from prison.