Aggressor Who Kicked Woman For Wearing Shorts Sentenced to Prison

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The final hearing in the trial of Abdullah Çakır, who kicked Ayşegül Terzi on a bus for wearing shorts on the first day of Eid in Çengelköy district of İstanbul, was held yesterday (September 7) before İstanbul Anadolu 40th Criminal Court of First Instance.

Çakıroğlu was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison on charges of "preventing the exercise of one's right to belief, thought and opinion", "willful bodily harm" and "insult". The court also ruled that the aggressor was not subject to charges of "inciting people to hatred and hostility".

What had happened?

Terzi was attacked by a man named Abdullah Çakıroğlu on a bus on the first day of Eid. After the attack was reported in the media, Çakıroğlu was detained on charge of "wounding".

In his first testimony, Çakıroğlu said: "The shorts she wore were not appropriate. That's why I got angry and made that move".

"I undergo psychological treatment. I kicked involuntarily in that moment", said the aggressor. In response to journalists' questions, he said: "Everything is under control...There is no problem... I was attacked by vandals. 20 leftist terrorists attacked me. Everything happened in accordance with Islamic law".

Çakıroğlu was then sent to the prosecutor's office on the charge of "wounding," and the prosecutor released him on the grounds that such a crime did not necessitate an arrest.

When his release sparked a reaction from the public, the prosecution issued a detention warrant again.

Çakıroğlu was detained on the charge of "inciting people to hatred and hostility". Çakıroğlu then was sent to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on Duty for arrest and was arrested.

In the indictment prepared by Anadolu Public Chief Executor Sadettin Ulusoy, Çakıroğlu is being charged with "inciting people to hatred and hostility" as well as "humiliation and defamation," demanding from 2 years and 3 months to 8 years in prison.

Arguing in his defence that Terzi was wearing obscene clothes, had to cover herself and he was being haunted by evil spirits,

Çakıroğlu was released after the first hearing.

Upon public reactions, Çakıroğlu was taken into custody again. Between September 19 - October 30, he was arrested and released for two more times.

The trial of Cakıroğlu, charged with "preventing to exercise one's right to belief, thought and opinion", "willful bodily harm", "insult", and "inciting people to hatred and hostility" began on October 26, 2016. (TP/ÇT/DG)