Actress Ezgi Mola fined for 'insulting' ex-soldier who sexually assaulted a woman

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

The final hearing of the case where actress Ezgi Mola stood trial for insulting Musa O. an ex-specialist sergeant who was found guilty of "qualified sexual assault" was held today (May 24) at the Ankara 31st Penal Court of First Instance. Mola attended the hearing.

After statements by Mola and the attorneys of both parties, the court sentenced Mola to pay a fine of 6,960 lira (~440 US dollars) for "insult."

Mola was facing up to 2 years and 4 months in prison for "insult via an audio, written or video message" and "insult" after a criminal complaint was filed against her because of her Twitter post about Musa O.

In her last words before the verdict, Mola said, "I don't know the defendant. My statement was about rapists and potential rapists. Having read the news before my statement, I considered this man as a rapist. I expressed my opinion in a way that was not harsh. Anyone would show the same reaction. As an artist, I made my voice heard; I expressed my reaction like everyone else."

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, "I'm not surprised. I hope we will see the days when we will be surprised."

CLICK - Former soldier's prison sentence for sexual assault reduced due to 'good conduct'

What happened?

Living in the Beşiri district of Turkey's southeastern province of Batman, İpek E. appealed to the Siirt Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on July 7 and filed a criminal complaint against specialist sergeant Musa O. Indicating that he raped her, E. gave a detailed deposition to the prosecutor.

On July 16, she left a letter and attempted to claim her life with a gun. She was taken to the Batman Regional Hospital. İpek E. was seriously wounded when she was hospitalized. After being treated there for 34 days, İpek E. lost her life at the hospital on August 18, 2020.

Musa O. was detained as part of the investigation on July 16. He was referred to court with a request for his arrest; however, he was then released on probation. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to this ruling, but it was not accepted. An indictment was prepared on July 27.

The indictment was returned due to missing points. The prosecutor's office objected to this decision as well. With this objection accepted, the office demanded Musa O.'s arrest again with this indictment. Amid social media outrage, Musa O. was arrested and sent to prison.

His attorneys objected to his arrest and the Siirt 2nd Heavy Penal Court accepted the objection. Musa O. was released on August 25.

On August 31, the Ministry of Interior announced that Specialist Sergeant Musa O. was discharged from the Gendarmerie General Command. (EMK/VK)