TURKEY tr-diplomacy

Turkish man convicted of assault in New Zealand 'kolbastı' case

WELLINGTON — Agence France-Presse | 9/30/2010 12:00:00 AM |

A Turkish immigrant who claimed he was performing a traditional dance with violent-looking moves as he beat up his wife has been convicted of assault by a New Zealand judge.

A Turkish immigrant who claimed he was performing a traditional dance with violent-looking moves as he beat up his wife has been convicted of assault by a New Zealand judge.

Kebab shop owner Alaaddin Can was arrested in August after a passerby reported he was attacking his wife outside their takeaway in the North Island town of Hawera.

He denied the assault charge, arguing he and his wife were celebrating a profitable lunchtime's trade with a traditional dance called kolbastı, which features mock wrestling, hitting and kicking.

After last month ordering police to examine Can's claims, judge Allan Roberts described them as "nonsense" in a decision handed down Wednesday.

"I reject the explanation as a lie," Roberts said, labeling Can "a manipulative, deceitful man."

Can was convicted of assault and ordered to pay 1,500 dollars (1,100 U.S.) to a women's shelter.