20.10.2025 16:22
It was alleged that Sadettin Karagöz, the owner of the Hope Charity Store established in Ankara in 2014, repeatedly sexually assaulted three Syrian women in need of assistance. Karagöz, who claimed he could not engage in sexual intercourse and shared medical reports, denied all the accusations against him and was released due to lack of evidence.
According to a year-long investigation by BBC Turkish, it is claimed that Sadettin Karagöz, known as the "grandfather of refugees," is at the center of allegations of harassment and abuse against desperate Syrian women in the capital.
"HE ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT WHILE DISTRIBUTING AID" It is alleged that Karagöz, who conducted volunteer aid work at the Hope Charity Store established in Altındağ in 2014, sexually harassed women in need of assistance under the pretext of helping them. Three women recounted that Karagöz touched them and attempted sexual assault while distributing aid. The women stated that they could not file a complaint for a long time due to fear.
"IF I HADN'T SCREAMED, HE WOULD HAVE TRIED TO RAPE ME" Medina, Nada, and Batoul, who sought refuge in Turkey due to the war, claimed that Karagöz harassed them in the store they went to for help. Medina said, "If I hadn't screamed, he would have tried to rape me," while Nada stated, "He wanted me to be alone; he said he wouldn't help if I didn't come."
Nada stated that she went to Karagöz because her family desperately needed help.
"I WANTED TO DIE BUT I SURVIVED FOR MY CHILDREN" After her experiences, Medina moved to another city and said, "I still see him in my dreams. I wanted to die, but I survived for my children." Batoul recounted that when she returned to collect the aid package, Karagöz touched her, and she left the store when she reacted.
Batoul expressed that she was afraid of encountering Karagöz, could not leave her home, and was scared to open the door when someone knocked. KARAGÖZ DENIED ALL ALLEGATIONS Sadettin Karagöz, a retired bank employee, denied all allegations. He stated that he has helped more than 37,000 people in his store, saying, "We only did good; we will not be destroyed by the slander of a few." Karagöz claimed that he could not engage in sexual intercourse and shared health reports with the press. However, experts stated that this report would not be sufficient to refute the allegations.
Sadettin Karagöz. RELEASED DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE It was noted that similar complaints had been made against Karagöz before, and the police had questioned him in 2019 and 2025. However, in both cases, a decision of non-prosecution was made due to lack of evidence.
In a police raid on the charity store in 2025, the shop was sealed, and Karagöz was questioned again. The victims stated that they were afraid to go to the police and feared deportation.
Officials from the United Nations Refugee Agency also stated that they take the allegations seriously, but the victims could not file complaints due to security concerns. This year, Karagöz changed the name of his store to "Bir Evim Aşevi Derneği" (My Home Soup Kitchen Association) and applied for official association status.