Rape Suspect Soldiers Laid Off in Bingöl

Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin said 8 expert sergeants suspected of raping teenager girl E.A (16) in the eastern province of Bingöl have been laid off from their duties by Gendarmerie authorities. 

Announcing via twitter, Şahin said the following: 

“I would like to share an information on a matter. You all know about the rape incident of a teenager girl by 8 expert sergeants in Bingöl. 

“As our ministry, we have become a part of the prosecution and objected the release of suspects pending trial. We were closely watching the case. 

“The trial is underway. Our state is maintaining its determination. At the moment, Gendarmerie authorities laid off those 8 rape suspects.” 

According to an article by Meltem Özgenç in Hürriyet newspaper, Turkish Armed Forces awaited for the release of indictment in order to process on the suspected sergeants. The contracts of aforementioned sergeants were cancelled as the indictment has been released by the court. 

What happened?

In 2011, the parents of E.A. (16) filed a complaint to General Attorney’s Office in Bingöl, saying that their daughter - who was 14 at the time - has been sexually abused and raped by Sergeant Y.A. and his friends İ.Y, M.T., M.K. and H.

Following the complaint, 4 sergeant suspects were arrested by the court. However, they were released pending trial by a superior court later on. In the meanwhile, the number of rape suspects raised to 8, authorities announced. 

Family and Social Policies Ministry became a part of prosecution after the release order. Plaintiff parties requested the re-arrest of 8 rape suspects. 

On June 24, prosecutors denied arrest warrant requests for suspects. On the same day, the court rejected the lift of confidentiality order on the case. It, however, ordered a restriction order for suspects to approach E.A.

On June 26, the court arrested a suspect. (ÇT/BM)

* Click here to see the original article in Turkish.