Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency:  Newsflash

A Turkish imam has been arrested for shooting his three daughters in the head in a secluded area before calling the cops and waiting by the dead bodies for them to arrive.

Emre Goktas, 36, an imam at a mosque in the district of Of in the Turkish province of Trabzon, recently split from his wife of 12 years, Sibel Goktas, after allegedly becoming violent towards her in the last four months.

According to the news site Son Dakika, Sibel Goktas left the family home with the couple’s three children, and was forced to report her husband to the public prosecutor’s office two months ago following another violent episode.

The imam was reportedly served with a one-month restraining order before being allowed to see his children again on 30th August.

The following day, he took his daughters Yaren Goktas, 11, Hiranur Goktas, 7, and Elif Goktas, 4, to a secluded spot next to a stream one kilometre from their mother’s house and allegedly shot them each in the head.

Emre called the emergency services and reported what he had done before waiting at the scene for the authorities to arrive.

Paramedics on the scene could only confirm that all three sisters had died of head wounds.

Their father was placed under arrest while the bodies of his three daughters were taken to the Trabzon Forensic Medicine Institute to undergo an autopsy.

During questioning, Emre is quoted as saying: “My children kept me at a distance. I lost myself, I don’t remember anything.”

The investigation continues.