Sexual assault on trans woman: Perpetrator released

"Hate kills"

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Harun S. sexually assaulted trans woman Asel Oktay, whom he also threatened with death. Detained after this incident in İstanbul's Şişli district on March 2, the male perpetrator has been released.

As reported by Kaos GL LGBTI+ association, following the sexual assault, Asel Oktay escaped from her house and called the police. Harun S. was taken into custody afterwards. While the male perpetrator was referred to court after giving his statement at the police station and prosecutor's office, the İstanbul 2nd Penal Judgeship of Peace has ruled that Harun S. shall be released on probation and with an international travel ban.

The man was charged with "aggravated sexual assault."

'I am on pins and needles'

Asel Oktay is now worried that the perpetrator has been released. "As I am at risk, I am on pins and needles. It is okay during the day, but I cannot sleep at night. I am constantly watching my back to see whether anyone is following me," says Oktay about the issue.

The Kaos GL has underlined that the perpetrator's statements at the police station, prosecutor's office and judgeship were in contradiction, adding that Harun S. had a knife and 11 bullets on him, in addition to a weapon.

Emphasis on İstanbul Convention.

Speaking about the issue, Asel Oktay's attorney Levent Pişkin says, "This decision cannot be thought separately from the campaigns against the İstanbul Convention," adding that "if İstanbul Convention was internalized and implemented, we would not face such decisions now."

"While there is a catalogue offense that necessitates arrest as well as a flight risk, a ruling of arrest was not given, which means that male violence against women is not penalized, but encouraged," notes Pişkin. (EMK/SD)