17.06.2026 22:20
Hiranur Foundation founder Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel's daughter H.K.G. was married at the age of 6, and a new development occurred in the case. Father Gümüşel was released.
A notable development occurred in the case regarding the marriage and sexual abuse of H.K.G., the daughter of Hiranur Foundation founder Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, when she was 6 years old.
RELEASE DECISION FOR GÜMÜŞEL The court decided to release Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel. Gümüşel was greeted by a large crowd in front of the prison.
Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel FATHER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS, MOTHER TO 16, AND THE MAN SHE MARRIED TO 30 YEARS In the case concerning H.K.G., the daughter of Hiranur Foundation founder Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, who was married off through a religious ceremony at the age of 6 to the 29-year-old follower Kadir İstekli and subjected to years of sexual abuse, the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Heavy Penal Court on October 23, 2023, sentenced the detained defendant Kadir İstekli to 30 years, father Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel to 20 years, and mother Fatma Gümüşel to 16 years and 8 months in prison. Following the verdict, the victim H.K.G.'s lawyer, the defendants' lawyers, the Ministry of Family and Social Services' lawyer, and the public prosecutor appealed the case.
APPEAL FOUND SENTENCES INSUFFICIENT The Regional Court of Appeal's 20th Criminal Chamber, evaluating the local court's decision, stated that the sentences given to the defendants should be increased and overturned the verdict.
In its decision, the Appeal Court assessed that the defendant Kadir İstekli should have been given two separate sentences for 'Aggravated sexual abuse of a child' for the years 2004-2013 and 'Aggravated sexual assault against a spouse' for 2020, instead of being punished for a single offense.
It also indicated that the sentences for the mother and father should be increased by law due to their status as parents. The Appeal sent the case back to the Anatolian 2nd Heavy Penal Court for a retrial.
The court sentenced Kadir İstekli to a total of 37 years for 'Aggravated sexual abuse of a child in a chain' and 'Aggravated sexual assault', and father Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel to 19 years and 9 months in prison for 'Aggravated sexual abuse of a child in a chain'.