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An appeals court in Erzurum has ordered the release of the director and staff member of a Quran course who were convicted of "torture" against 14 children.
The trial, which involved the physical abuse of 14 boys under the care of the Children and Women's Association in Erzurum, had led to charges of "torturing a child" against the director and staff member, who were also responsible for teaching and assigning cleaning tasks to the children. The case was heard at the Erzurum Heavy Penal Court.
During the sentencing, the defendants were not convicted of the alleged torture but were instead given relatively lighter sentences for the charges of torment, resulting in 36 and 39 years of imprisonment.
The Children and Women First Association, which took up the case, criticized the verdict in a written statement.
"The testimonies of the victimized children were previously recorded at the Child Monitoring Center (ÇİM) in the presence of psychologists and prosecutors. We had fought to prevent the repeated presence of the children at the trial, considering the principle of their best interests.
"However, in the trial for torture charges, the court decided to have the children testify again in the Judicial Interview Rooms (AGO). Due to this flawed decision by the court, some parents and children, who faced social pressure, withdrew their complaints.
"The appeals court's assessment, stating that the allegations of intentional assault and insult appeared to be 'isolated incidents' and did not reach the level of torture, is legally incorrect. The situation, which the court has dismissed as 'isolated incidents,' involves severe physical and psychological violence.
"The reversal of the verdict is a violation of the principle of the child's best interests. Unfortunately, we know that similar instances of abuse and violence against children occur in many Quran courses or similar religious education institutions, particularly in Erzurum and neighboring provinces.
"However, children and their families are unable to file complaints or withdraw their complaints due to poverty and powerlessness. We sincerely believe that all legal professionals want to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Laws should aim to protect our children, not subject them to harm. This verdict also undermines our children's faith in justice." (AÖ/VK)
