Man acquitted of 'abusing' his child despite forensic medicine report

"Don't remain silent against abuse, be a voice!" (Photo: Serra Akcan / csgorselarsiv.org)

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Refik Y., the former Youth Branch Chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the Selçuk district of İzmir, has been acquitted of "abusing" his two sons aged 2 and 5.

The forensic medicine reports said there were "medical findings of anal penetration by an organ or another object" and "no external lesions on the child's body related to the incident."

NOTE: According to the Ministry of Justice Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK) report on June 9, 2021, it was clear that the father abused the child.

In the final hearing on June 6 at the İzmir 23rd Heavy Penal Court, the defendant was acquitted because the defendant was "not proven guilty." The detailed ruling will be announced later.

The prosecution demanded the defendant be sentenced for the offenses that match his actions, stating that it was understood from testimonies and evidence, including the forensic medicine reports, that the defendant had abused the child on the pretext of playing with him.

Also, considering the quality and nature of the crime, the prosecution demanded the arrest of the defendant and the overturn of a decision of non-prosecution given by the Selçuk Public Prosecutor's Office.

Despite the evidence, the judge acquitted Refik Y.

"The children are safe"

Commenting on the verdict for bianet, Eren Keskin, the co-chair of the Human Rights Association (İHD), said it was a "horrible" decision.

According to the information bianet received from local sources, the children are currently with their mother and safe.

Complaint against bianet editor

Bianet editor Evrim Kepenek previously gave a statement after a complaint by Refik Y., who had been arrested for abusing his 5-year-old child.

Kepenek reported on the incident with articles titled "Father arrested for 'abusing' his child" and "Father who 'abused' his child released on probation."

While he was in prison, Refik Y. filed a complaint against Kepenek for "violating privacy."

Speaking after her testimony, Kepenek had said, "We didn't write his surname because the process of trial is underway. There is the presumption of innocence. However, reports taken from both the forensic medicine [institution] and private psychologists stated that the father abused the child. So, this is how we reported it. We didn't make comments or criticism. We only conveyed what was written in the reports and presented the court decision."

(EMK/VK)