Workmate killer is sentenced to 17yrs
AN ENGINEERING graduate who stabbed his workmate to death after accusing him of breaking his wrist watch has been put behind bars for 17 years.
The fatal argument broke out while Melih Arnavut and Eshref Abdulkariov were drinking together, seated on a bench outside the Halk Evi Sports Club in Girne at 5am last July.
Arnavut broke down in tears after being convicted and sentenced at Girne Assizes Court for the killing of Mr Abdulkariov.
Presiding judge Fadıl Aksun said on Thursday the court had found Arnavut guilty of charges of manslaughter, illegal possession of a knife and causing a disturbance.
The incident took place on July 11, 2017, when an argument broke out in which Arnavut, who was working at the club that night, accused his colleague of breaking his wrist watch, then stabbed him in the stomach with a knife.
The injured man was taken to Girne State Hospital, where he later died.
Arnavut had come to the TRNC in 2004 as a university student, going on to graduate in construction engineering. He worked on construction sites by day and as a barman or waiter at various venues by night.