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The third hearing of S.E., who was arrested for having sexually abused his 12-year-old cousin D.E. in Yüksekova in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari five years ago, was held at the Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court on December 20, 2018. The court ruled that S.E. shall be released from prison.
Harika Günay Karataş, the attorney of D.E., has commented on the verdict of release given to the defendant:
"The release of the perpetrator from prison despite the forensic report and statements in the file will pave the way for new incidents of abuse."
Releasing a statement on her Twitter account, attorney Karataş has made a call to be sensitive about the issue and emphasized the importance of following and embracing the case of D.E.
Defendant did not accept the charges
Attending his third hearing via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), defendant S.E., who was arrested in Hakkari Closed Prison, did not accept the charges pressed against him by stating, "The victim is like a sister to me. The victim is casting smears on me. I am innocent."
Criminal complaint filed against attackers
Announcing its verdict, the board of the Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court ruled that defendant S.E. shall be released from prison "on the ground that there exists no possibility for him to spoil the evidence."
The family of the defandant, who lives in the same village with the family of D.E., also attacked the family of D.E. The family filed a criminal complaint against S.E.'s family at the Yüksekova Courthouse.
"Victim is the future of all children"
Speaking to bianet about the verdict of release, attorney Karataş said,
"The male justice has continued its proceedings in Yüksekova as well. The Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court, which acts as a protector of rape morals, released the perpetrator because he has a fixed place of residence.
"The release of the perpetrator from prison despite the forensic report and statements in the file will pave the way for new incidents of abuse that might occur in the future. The Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court is the instigator now.
"Our requests for a clinical psychologist and collection of evidence were rejected; the male justice has treated yet another child unjustly. Who has become a victim today is the future of all children in the person of my client."
Defendant S.E. was arrested as part of a lawsuit that was launched against him on charges of "repeated sexual abuse of the child and depriving a person of her/his freedom by using force and threat." (EMK/SD)
