Saved His Wife as "Tombik": The Fate of a Turkish Husband Who Sent Abusive Messages

Turkish Court: "'Tombik' Is an Insulting Term"

A Turkish court has ruled that a husband's act of calling his wife "tombik" (meaning "chubby") constitutes emotional abuse and has granted a divorce. The court also ordered the husband to pay damages.

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Recently, Turkish media outlet Sabah reported that in a mutual divorce case at the 3rd Family Court in the western city of Usak, the court determined that the husband's use of the term "tombik" to refer to his wife, meaning "chubby," was an act that insulted her dignity.

According to the report, the wife filed for divorce based on Article 166 of the Turkish Civil Code (fundamental breakdown of the marital relationship), while the husband filed a counterclaim, alleging the wife had been unfaithful.

During the trial, it was confirmed that the husband had sent his wife text messages such as, "My father is sick and about to undergo surgery, so give me some money," "Disappear, I don't even want to see your face," and "Let the devil see your face." It was also revealed that the husband had saved his wife's contact in his phone as "tombik."

The court determined that such words and actions amounted to emotional abuse.

On the other hand, the husband's claim that his wife had an inappropriate relationship with another man was not accepted due to a lack of evidence. The court found that, apart from testimony that another man had brought a book to the house, there was no direct evidence to support the allegation of infidelity.

The Supreme Court of Turkey, after comparing the faults of both parties, concluded that the husband's insults and economic pressure toward his wife constituted a greater fault.

The Supreme Court dismissed the husband's claims, determined that the marital relationship had irreparably broken down, and finalized the divorce. It also judged that the wife was less at fault and ordered the husband to pay damages to her. Additionally, the court found that the child support amount was insufficient and ordered it to be recalculated.