"Don't protect, don't whitewash; put on trial" (Photo: Social media)
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The high criminal court has handed down its ruling in the trial over the sexual assault of 18-year-old İpek Er, who later committed suicide.
Standing trial for sexually assaulting İpek Er and driving her to suicide in Turkey's Kurdish-majority southeastern province of Batman, Musa O., a specialized sergeant later discharged from the Gendarmerie General Command, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The final hearing of the case was held at the Siirt 1st High Criminal Court today (December 2). As reported by MA, the court first ruled that Musa O. should be sentenced to 12 years in prison for "aggravated sexual assault" as per the Article 102/2 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
However, on the grounds that "it might have a negative impact on his future" and that he attended all hearings regularly, the court board has reduced his prison sentence to 10 years due to "good conduct".
Moreover, "as he is no flight risk", the court has ruled that he shall be free pending trial, with judicial control measures imposed.
While the ruling has been given by a majority of votes, a member of the court board has expressed a dissenting opinion, indicating that Musa O. should have been acquitted of the offenses charged.
Following the final hearing, a press statement was held in front of the courthouse. Addressing the reporters, lawyer Gulan Çağın Kaleli recalled that the prison sentence has been reduced from 12 years to 10 years and announced that they will appeal against the ruling.
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. (RT/SD)
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