15.05.2026 16:21
The penalties requested for 5 defendants, 4 of whom are detained, who work in the parliament cafeteria in the case regarding sexual harassment allegations against intern students in the Turkish Grand National Assembly have been determined. The prosecutor demanded up to 16 years and 6 months in prison for the defendants on charges of "sexual abuse of a child through molestation" and "sexual harassment of a child."
The third hearing of the "sexual abuse" case against intern students at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) was held at Ankara 57th Criminal Court of First Instance.
At the hearing, detained defendants Halil İlker Güner, Durmuş Uğurlu, İbrahim Beşlioğlu, and Recep Seven, who work in the assembly cafeteria, participated via SEGBIS, while non-detained defendant Ramazan Çetin and the lawyers of both parties were present in the courtroom. Despite no confidentiality order in the case, media members and spectators were not allowed into the courtroom. The presiding judge stated that the expert report had been submitted to the case file and gave the floor to non-detained defendant Çetin. Çetin asserted his innocence and requested acquittal.
"I DID NOT SEND MESSAGES FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES, BUT FOR CHAT"
Defendant Beşlioğlu, participating in the hearing via SEGBIS, said, "I repeat my statement. She was not an intern when I sent the messages. I did not send messages for sexual purposes. I sent them for chat. There is no situation of approaching. I request my release."
"I DID NOT TOUCH HER"
Defendant İlker, making his defense via SEGBIS, claimed, "I did not touch her, there was no contact. I have been in prison for 6 months. My family is devastated."
The defendants' lawyers requested that their clients be released considering the time they have spent in detention. The mothers of the victim girls, E.D. and S.U., stated that their complaints continue.
Defendants Recep Seven, İbrahim Beşikçioğlu, and Ramazan Çetin requested their release.
HERE ARE THE PENALTIES SOUGHT FOR THE DEFENDANTS
Presenting his opinion on the merits, the Public Prosecutor demanded up to 16 years and 6 months in prison for the defendants on charges of "sexual abuse of a child by harassment" and "sexual harassment of a child."
Then, delivering its interim decision, the judge ruled to continue the current status of the defendants and granted the parties time to respond to the opinion.
The next hearing was adjourned to June 5.