Man Who Punched Women in Ankara Released

Click to read the article in Turkish

A man named E.T. punched three women walking on the street in Ulus in the capital city of Ankara on September 20. One of the women received a medical report proving that she was battered. E.T. has been released upon the order of the prosecutor's office after his deposition.

'We don't have safety of life anymore'

One of the attacked women who wants to remain anonymous, but whose name is known by bianet has recounted the incident as follows:

"I was assaulted by a man named E.T. without even understanding what is happening. After the attack, another woman whom he attacked just before me came to us. The same man punched another woman just a few steps later. We called the police after the incident.

"We went to the Şehit Kamil Arslan Police Station. One of the attacked women - I think, out of fear - did not come to depose. Two of the attacked women deposed and the other woman was listened as a witness.

"When we went to the hospital for a medical check, we saw that the report of E.T. was given quite quickly. We do not know its reason, they released E.T. upon the order of the prosecutor's office. Does this person use drugs? Is he mentally unstable? We do not know. He now roams freely on the street.

'He attacked before'

"We do not have any safety of life anymore. This man is again on the streets and can attack women again. Because, as far as we have learnt from the shopkeepers there, he launched other attacks in the past.

"There is even a lawsuit against him for that, they said. However, as the woman who filed the lawsuit withdrew it, the lawsuit has dropped. We do not know why this woman withdrew the lawsuit.

"As far as we are told, this man is known there, he attacks the women passing on thar road. No one has done anything till now. How is it possible that a man who attacks women is released so easily?".

According to police minutes, E.T., who attacked the women, defends himself saying, "I have lost myself".

They asked 'Did you wear revealing clothes?'

Women say that when they talked to others about the attack, they were asked questions such as "Did you wear revealing clothes?" or "Was it a late hour?" and continue as follows:

"Questions like these legitimize the attack. People act as if women were to blame. We were just walking on the street. A man came and attacked us. My friend got a black eye. But, the man has been released.

"We are waiting support from the public. In Turkey women are attacked on the street, they are subjected to violence, they are killed. But, the attacking men are released". (EMK/SD)