12.02.2026 15:21
A judo coach who was tried for sexually abusing his 13-year-old student in a hotel room while taking him to competitions in Kocaeli and Sivas was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The indictment stated that the defendant's first contact with the victim occurred in Sivas, while the second contact took place in Kocaeli when the victim was asleep. It was revealed that the coach had previously been acquitted in three separate cases involving similar allegations.
In 2023, V.S., who was only 13 years old at the time, was sexually abused by judo instructor F.A. (46) during competitions in Sivas and Kocaeli, where he went from Manisa. Following complaints made by V.S. and other students, F.A. was arrested.
ACQUITTED IN 3 CASES
A total of 4 cases were opened against F.A. for the crime of "sexual abuse of a child" in Balıkesir, Manisa, and Kocaeli. The defendant, who was tried in the 4th Heavy Criminal Court of Balıkesir, Manisa, and Kocaeli, was acquitted. F.A. appeared in court for the last time today in the Kocaeli 1st Heavy Criminal Court, where he was tried based on V.S.'s complaint.
ABUSED EVEN WHILE SLEEPING
The trial related to the incident continued in the Kocaeli 1st Heavy Criminal Court. The detained defendant F.A. participated in the hearing via SEGBİS, while the lawyers of both parties and the family of the victim V.S. were present in the courtroom. Additionally, the families of the victimized children came from Manisa to support the case as spectators.
The public prosecutor reiterated the opinion he presented in the previous session. The opinion described the course of the incident. It was stated in the opinion that V.S. was involved in judo, that the defendant F.A. was his judo instructor, that the defendant and the victim went to competitions in various provinces as a team, and that the defendant had touched the victim twice with sexual intent, with the first touch occurring during the night they stayed in a hotel in Sivas in 2023.
It was reported that he touched the child's sexual area and kissed him on the neck. It was noted that the second touch occurred a week later while the child was sleeping in a dormitory in Kocaeli for a competition. The defendant was requested to be punished for the crime of sexual abuse of a child.
"STUDENTS FILED A COMPLAINT CLAIMING 'DISCRIMINATION'"
The defendant's lawyer stated in his defense regarding the matter, "My client has been acquitted in 3 cases, including the 4th Heavy Criminal Court of Balıkesir, Manisa, and Kocaeli for the same crime. My client is a national athlete and educator, having trained thousands of athletes. My client is recognized and respected by the judo federation. He has only been detained in this case. It is clear that my client did not commit the crime. The life of an innocent person has been ruined. The students have filed complaints claiming they experienced discrimination." he said.
DID NOT ACCEPT THE ALLEGATIONS
When asked for his final words, the defendant stated, "I do not accept the allegations. I appeal to your justice. I request my release and acquittal."
SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON
The court panel, announcing its decision, found the defendant guilty of the charge of "sexual abuse of a child." The panel increased the sentence due to the defendant being an educator and committing the act in a repeated manner, sentencing F.A. to 15 years in prison.