30.05.2024 16:40
The trial regarding the allegations of sexual abuse against Dr. Ender Saraç's 13-year-old son is ongoing. The couple's son, who spoke for the first time, said, "I resorted to this path because I was pressured. My initial statement was not true, my father did not abuse me. I last saw my father 2 years ago. My father had physically assaulted my mother."
The trial regarding the allegations of sexual abuse against Dr. Ender Saraç's 13-year-old son continues. His son stated that his father did not abuse him and that he physically assaulted his mother.
"MY INITIAL STATEMENT ABOUT BEING ABUSED WAS NOT TRUE"
The trial against Dr. Mehmet Ender Saraç, who is accused of sexually abusing his 13-year-old son M.S. between 2017 and 2021 in Beşiktaş, continued. The trial took place at the Istanbul 34th Heavy Penal Court, with the defendant Ender Saraç and the plaintiff Benan Saraç present. The plaintiff child M.S. (14) participated via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), and the lawyers of both parties were also present. During the trial, the plaintiff child M.S., accompanied by a psychologist from the Ministry of Family and Social Services, stated that his initial statement was not true and said, "My second statement, in which I stated that the sexual abuse incident did not happen, is true. The reason why I initially gave that statement was because my parents were separating."
"MY FATHER WAS PRESSURING ME, I DID THIS TO MAKE HIM ASHAMED"
M.S., who stated that his father constantly told him that he smelled bad, said, "He was constantly interfering with what I ate and drank. He was trying to control me. He was pressuring my mother to reconcile. I had hidden sticks around the house because I was afraid. Finally, I resorted to this. I first told my mother about the abuse, but she didn't believe me. She had no idea that I had gone to school while I was on sick leave. My intention in doing this was for my father to come to my school, feel ashamed, and not be able to pressure me again," he said.
"MY FATHER DID NOT ABUSE ME, BUT HE PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED MY MOTHER"
Explaining that the reason for giving a different statement was that his father constantly blamed his mother Benan Saraç, M.S. said, "I was afraid of God. That's why I resorted to this. My father did not abuse me. I last saw my father 2 years ago. My father physically assaulted my mother. Because I thought he would kill my mother out of anger that his career was ruined, I told her the truth. I request a lifetime restraining order for my father from the court," he said.
"MY SON GAVE A MEMORIZED STATEMENT, I AM SURE I AM INNOCENT"
Ender Saraç, defending himself by stating that the child's initial statement was memorized, said, "The true statement is the one he gave later. I haven't seen my son for 8 months. His voice has changed, and I miss him a lot. It is not possible for me to make him give a statement by memorizing something. I am one hundred percent sure that I am innocent. I request my acquittal," he said.
TRIAL POSTPONED
Announcing its interim decision, the court postponed the trial, awaiting the examination of the statements of the plaintiff child M.S., who participated in the trial via SEGBİS.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation started with the police being informed about the minutes kept by the school administration, regarding the victim M.S., on December 5, 2023.
The prepared indictment stated that there was no serious reason requiring the victim M.S. to falsely accuse the suspect Mehmet Ender Saraç in a matter concerning his honor and reputation, there was no previous animosity between them, the victim had told the incident to his teachers at school, the involvement of the mother later, and the possibility that the child's statements to his teachers were not influenced or fabricated, and therefore, it was concluded that the initial statement of the victim was sincere and reflected the truth.
In the prepared indictment, it was requested that the suspect Mehmet Ender Saraç be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of 12 years to 22 years and 6 months for the crime of "sexual abuse of a child."