"We are not staying silent against child abuse" (Archive)
Click to read the article in Turkish
Mikail A. from Yüksekova, Hakkari was systematically abusing his friend's grandchild. He was caught in the act.
In the indictment written by Hakkari Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, how he committed the offense of sexual assault was explained in detail. It stated that he also threatened the girl.
A criminal case was filed against Mikail A. for "sexual abuse and deprivation of liberty for sexual purposes."
Mikail A. was remanded and sent to prison. He denied the allegations in the first hearing of the case at Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court on January 14.
In the second hearing that was held yesterday (January 29), he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for "abuse" and 22.5 years in prison for "deprivation of liberty."
Contrary to many cases where the perpetrator's sentence was reduced for "wearing a tie", the court did not reduce the sentence due to good conduct. The high sentence given by the court sets a precedent for similar cases.
Attorney Harika Günay Karataş, who was involved in the case, told bianet that " The Yüksekova Heavy Penal Court set a precedent. However, it will be insufficient to comment on this decision only through the court."
"As a result of the organized struggle of women who fight male violence in all spheres, we have shown as women that no woman has ever walked alone and that we are the voice that our children cannot make.
"The acceptance of the request of participation by the Lawyers Association for Freedom and the Rights and the Hakkari Bar Association Committee for Women's and Children's Rights is an indication that the whole society is harmed in the person of children.
"In the decision given, the court committee did not apply the 'good conduct reduction for wearing a tie,' which we usually encounter. Despite all the efforts of the defendant's attorney to extend the hearing, the court board served true justice." (EMK/VK)
