Man claimed wife beating was ‘traditional Turkish dance’

MELBOURNE - A New Zealand kebab shop owner has been convicted of assaulting his wife after the judge dismissed his claims they were performing a traditional Turkish dance with violent-looking moves.

Allaetin Can was taken into custody in August after an onlooker 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 kolbasti, which features mock wrestling, hitting and kicking.

After last month ordering police to examine Can’s claims, New Zealand judge Allan Roberts described all his tactics as ‘nonsense’ in a decision handed down yesterday.

“I reject the explanation as a lie,” News.com.au quoted Roberts as saying. (ANI)