Bergen Halis Serbest shocked the nation when he confessed to brutally murdering his girlfriend, a Turkish pop star named Bergen, in 2010. After serving just six years of a 13-year prison sentence, Serbest was released in 2016. In a chilling interview conducted after his release, he shows no remorse for his crime and even suggests he would "do the same" again under similar circumstances.
The Savage Murder That Enraged Turkey
Bergen was a beloved Turkish pop star and actress who was just 27 years old when she was murdered by her boyfriend, Serbest. The two had been in a tumultuous romantic relationship and broke up after Bergen suspected Serbest of cheating on her.
Shortly after, in August 2010, Serbest called Bergen and convinced her to meet him at a gas station. According to prosecutors, when Bergen arrived, Serbest stabbed her 24 times in a fit of jealous rage, killing her. He then fled the scene. Bergen‘s mother discovered her body.
The details of Bergen‘s gruesome death shocked the nation. She had been stabbed brutally in the chest, back and arms. Her white dress was soaked entirely in blood. At just 27, her promising career and life were tragically cut short.
Serbest was arrested and charged with femicide – the intentional murder of a woman because of her gender. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison but was released early in 2016 after serving just 6 years of his term.
The Chilling Interview: Complete Lack of Remorse, Willingness to Murder Again
In a stunning televised interview after his release, Serbest showed absolutely no remorse for Bergen‘s horrific murder. When asked if he would kill again under similar circumstances, Serbest responded, "If the same thing happens, I‘ll do the same."
Throughout the 20-minute interview, Serbest appears cold, calm and collected as he discusses the savage killing. He shows no emotions and seems to relish recounting even the most gruesome details of Bergen‘s death. He refuses to apologize for the immense pain caused to Bergen‘s grieving family and friends.
Shockingly, Serbest denies any true wrongdoing, saying, "I did not kill anyone, I am not a murderer." He explains away the 24 brutal stabbings by claiming Bergen attacked him first with a knife and that "it happened in the heat of the moment" as he attempted to defend himself.
But given the appalling excessive level of violence and fact he brought the murder weapon to their meeting, his self-defense claim seems an utterly transparent justification for femicide.
When it comes to punishment for men who kill women, Serbest believes current penalties are far too weak. "The person who kills a woman deserves more than just imprisonment," he declares, suggesting 10-15 years of aggravated imprisonment instead.
Yet despite calling for tougher sentencing for the very crime he committed, Serbest believes he has done nothing deserving of real consequence or remorse.
Insights Into His Disturbing Relationship With Bergen
Interview footage provides chilling insights into Serbest‘s disturbing relationship with Bergen leading up to her murder.
Serbest met Bergen at one of her concerts in 2009. He describes initially being head-over-heels in love with the pop star. Enamored by her beauty and talent, he actively pursued Bergen until she agreed to date him.
However, Serbest‘s infatuation curdled into a dark obsession. As Bergen‘s career took off, his violent jealousy spiraled out of control. Lashing out verbally and physically, Serbest assaulted Bergen on multiple occasions when she refused to capitulate to his domineering demands over her friendships, career and clothing choices.
In the interview, Serbest chillingly admits, "Sure I have been disturbed by jealousy. I‘m a man, jealousy turns me on." He believes his violent urges are intrinsically tied to masculinity.
Bergen eventually found the courage to break free from Serbest‘s abuse, refusing to tolerate it any longer. She ended the relationship after suspecting him of cheating.
Serbest then resorted to the ultimate act of violence to reassert his control – femicide. By brutally killing Bergen, he felt entitled to rob her of autonomy in death that she fought for in life. When asked if he has any regrets, Serbest says he wishes Bergen‘s mother had not witnessed her murdered corpse. The immense pain experienced by those close to Bergen does not seem to register in Serbest‘s mind.
Serbest goes on to claim he wanted to have a baby with Bergen but that she had undisclosed health issues that prevented pregnancy. He expresses sadness that they never started a family together. Of course, his horrific actions robbed Bergen of the chance to bring life into the world forever.
The Aftermath – Cries for Justice
Bergen‘s savage murder at the hands of an intimate partner pricked the country‘s conscience and ignited passionate cries for justice. Thousands gathered at vigils mourning her loss and protests erupted accusing authorities of failing to protect Bergen.
Critics condemned the short 6-year effective prison stay handed to Serbest for such a violent slaying. Under Erdogan, Turkey has faced accusations of backsliding on judicial independence and women’s rights, enabling convicted femicide killers like Serbest to walk free after mere years behind bars.
Bergen’s family launched campaigns calling for Serbest’s sentence to be fully served. They continue fighting for full justice for her death to this day.
The national TV interview with Serbest also drew intense public backlash. Many found his lack of remorse and willingness to kill again deeply alarming. Women’s rights advocates expressed outrage that such a platform was given to a remorseless, still dangerous convicted femicide killer to essentially glorify his crime.
Combating the Crisis of Femicide
Despite international protests condemning her femicide, brutal gender-related killings of women have only skyrocketed across Turkey since Bergen‘s murder. Over 300 women were murdered by men in just the first half of 2022 – a rate projected to climb even higher.
| Year | Women Killed by Men-Perpetrated Femicides |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 474 |
| 2020 | 300 |
| 2021 | 280 |
| 2022 (first half) | 189 |
Many attribute the worsening femicide crisis directly Turkey‘s political climate under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian rule. Regressive legislative reforms have dismantled judicial independence, protections for women, and trust in authorities. With weakened institutions and accountability, violent men are emboldened while fearful women are silenced. Bergen‘s case is but one painful example of this disturbing reality.
In the vacuum left by failing state protections, grassroots women’s rights groups are heroically stepping up. Networks like the Purple Roof provide vital services to domestic violence victims including emergency safe housing, pro bono legal help, psychological support, job training and more. The Purple Roof assisted 65,000 domestic violence victims last year alone.
Feminist activists are also running powerful public awareness campaigns to shift attitudes on violence against women. Digital activism, protests, memorials, art and services seek to support victims whilst challenging norms that breed femicide. Combined with fierce policy changes, such efforts represent seeds of hope.
Remembering Bergen, Demanding Change
The Bergen Serbest case stands as a watershed moment in Turkey’s reckoning with its femicide crisis. It reminds us that radical change is desperately needed to curb the loss of women’s lives from male gender-based violence.
Unrepentant men like Serbest who justify, excuse or even glory in violence against women must face categorical societal condemnation – not broadcast interviews. Stubbornly biased attitudes that place more value inherently on male lives compared to female ones must shift. Impunity for femicide must end through a strengthened judicial system, tougher sentencing, and no tolerance for early releases. More stringent laws paired with proactive enforcement are key.
Grassroots prevention further demands engaging men and boys early on about respectful attitudes, healthy relationships and bystander intervention training. Safe spaces need expanding so women can leave abusers sooner without losing vital support networks. Politicians must prioritize resources towards protecting women’s basic human rights to safety and autonomy.
Bergen‘s memory deserves no less. Perhaps if more progress had been made when she first sounded alarm bells about her abusive partner years ago, she would still be alive today writing songs that uplifted a generation.
We owe it to Bergen‘s legacy and the next generation of women leaders to do everything possible to end these entirely preventable, horrific murders. Justice for Bergen starts with collectively saying no more excuses. No more femicide. The time is now for action and accountability.