Police Officer's Sentence for Sexually Assaulting Refugee Woman Reduced due to 'Good Behavior'

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The court has announced its verdict on the case of a police officer sexually assaulting a female refugee from Uzbekistan in a police car in October 2018.

The officers encountered I.K. in a taxi during a security control; because she did not have an ID card, they took her into custody and brought her into the police car, where they sexually assaulted the women and took away her money.

Five officers have been under trial for the incident, with one of them being under arrest.

The İstanbul Public Prosecutor's Office demanded a prison term up to 46 years for police officer Ş.Ş., up to 10.5 years for İ.K. for assistance to a crime, and up to 15.5 years for three other officers for not reporting a crime and backing a criminal.

The verdict hearing of the case was held yesterday at the 8th Heavy Penal Court of İstanbul.

While all the defendants attended the hearing, an attorney from the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services were also present, representing I.K.

Defendants rejected the charges

The defendants requested their acquittal, pleading not guilty.

The court acquitted defendant İ.K. of "depriving a person of his/her freedom."

Defendants A.B, E.S., Y.S. have been sentenced to 7 months and 15 days in prison for "not reporting an offense" as public officers. The court suspended the announcement of the verdict after reaching an opinion that the defendants will not commit an offense again, considering the defendants' crime records and stance and behavior in the hearings.

A.B, E.S., Y.S. have also been acquitted of "backing a criminal."

Defendant Ş.Ş. has been sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison for "bribery," and 5 years for "depriving a person of his/her freedom."

The court sentenced him 12 years in prison for "sexual assault," then increased it to 18 years because the offense was committed with a weapon an by the misconduct of a public officer.

Considering the stance and behavior of the defendant in the hearings, the court reduced the sentence to 15 years. The arrest of the defendant shall continue, it ruled.

(EMK/VK)