Women Call For Support Against Sexual Offences

Two women activists are tried with 15 years in prison for insulting and attacking former Islamist columnist Hüseyin Üzmez, who had been condemned to 13 years for sexually molesting a child.

Halevleri member Pınar Koyuncular and Student Collectives member Nergis Şimşek will stand trial on 1 October in Bursa. They had staged a protest before the court where Üzmez was on trial.

"I hope we'll be acquitted. Otherwise, it will strengthen reactionary thoughts", Koyuncular told bianet.

"As women, we raised our voices against rape and sexual assaults. Our trial is the result of the discomfort from our reactions. Üzmez's impunity would endanger all women. Because of our reactions, Forensic Medicine Institute rewrote its report on Üzmez and he had been condemned."

Two women had thrown umbrellas at Üzmez, while he was brought to the court. They were taken under police custody and later released. Both women call for support at their trial.(EZÖ/AGÜ)