06.04.2026 18:20
The artist Gülben Ergen gave a statement at the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office due to an investigation initiated following a complaint from the Ministry of Family and Social Policies regarding her statements about the deaths of Fatma Nur Çelik and her daughter Hifa İkra Şengüler, whose lifeless bodies were found while the sexual abuse case against her daughter is ongoing. Ergen said, "The mother and daughter who said 'I am afraid for my safety are no longer alive, I am giving a statement regarding this, I am very sad, I am hurt."
Artist Gülben Ergen gave a statement at the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office due to an investigation initiated upon the complaint of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies regarding her statements about the deaths of Fatma Nur Çelik, whose lifeless body was found, and her daughter Hifa İkra Şengüler, while the sexual abuse case against her daughter is ongoing. Ergen said, "I visited the mother at her home upon her call, saying 'Let Gülben Hanım hear from here what our situation is, let her see our child in person' during Ramadan. Friends, the mother and daughter are no longer alive. The mother, who said 'I am afraid for my safety,' is no longer alive, I am giving a statement about this, I am very sad, I am hurt," she said.
The lifeless bodies of Fatma Nur Çelik, who was reportedly abused by Ayhan Şengüler, an executive of the Quran Service Foundation when she was a child and later married to the perpetrator, and little Hifa İkra Şengüler, who was allegedly abused by Şengüler for years, were found on March 3 at the Kazlıçeşme beach in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul.
Following the complaint made by the Ministry of Family and Social Services to the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an investigation was launched against artist Gülben Ergen, who was among those reacting to the incident.
Gülben Ergen, who came to the Bakırköy Courthouse as part of the investigation against her, made a statement to reporters after her testimony. The artist, whose statement lasted about an hour, expressed her sadness and hurt in her statement after leaving the courthouse. Gülben Ergen said:
"I visited the mother at her home upon her call, saying 'Let Gülben Hanım hear from here what our situation is, let her see our child in person' during Ramadan. Friends, the mother and daughter are no longer alive. The mother, who said 'I am afraid for my safety,' is no longer alive, I am giving a statement about this, I am very sad, I am hurt. But the prosecutor, as my lawyer said, asked about my visit, when I went, what I talked about, and what I saw in a very polite and understanding manner. I carefully and diligently explained to the prosecutor what I experienced and what I saw. I am hurt and sad."
"I AM WAITING FOR JUSTICE FOR ROJİN KABAİŞ"
I am also waiting for justice for Rojin Kabaiş. My sensitivity regarding children, women, and girls will not end; it will continue. I am an artist of this country. I am a citizen of this country. I am the founder and president of an association in this country. I am a sensitive woman regarding children. This sensitivity of mine will not cease. Am I sad? I am sad. Am I hurt? I am hurt. Did I not feel sad while giving my statement inside? Was I not broken? Yes, I was asked questions with understanding. I also answered with understanding and care, but let us not forget that a mother and daughter are not alive right now."
"I AM SENSITIVE ABOUT CHILDREN AND WOMEN"
In her statement to the prosecutor, Gülben Ergen said, "The allegations that are the subject of the Ministry's complaint are not true. I am 53 years old. Alongside my art, which I have been practicing for years, I am sensitive about children and women. Additionally, at various times, with the approval of the Ministry of National Education, I founded and presided over the association called 'Children Should Smile' and opened 61 kindergartens," she said.
Ergen, who explained that she met with Fatma Nur after her statement made in front of the courthouse, gave the prosecutor the following statements:
"I witnessed how bad her daughter's health condition was. During our meeting, Fatma Nur's biggest fear was the anxiety of her child being handed over to the father, who raped her and abused her daughter. I supported her on this issue. During our meeting, I did not ask whether there was a case regarding sexual abuse and sexual assault against her and her child. However, as far as I remember from our meeting, she said that she divorced her husband, but her ex-husband was not prosecuted for these crimes. Other than that, we had a conversation like siblings. My purpose in the meeting was to prevent the child's victimization. Fatma Nur and I continued to communicate by phone afterwards."
"I arranged for the child's admission to a university hospital for treatment"
Ergen stated that she arranged for the child's admission to a university hospital for treatment, saying, "Because the child was not drinking water, not eating, and not speaking. I believe the child was hospitalized for about 9-10 days and during this time, she thanked me several times. Later, she was discharged from the hospital," she said.
Gülben Ergen pointed out that Fatma Nur's main concern was that her child would be taken from her and given to her ex-husband, saying:
"Additionally, in my meeting with her, I repeatedly assured her that her child would not be taken from her because the child would not be given to the father, who abused her and her daughter and against whom a case was opened."
"I INFORMED MS. MAHİNUR ABOUT THE PROCESS"
I also informed Ms. Mahinur from the Ministry of Family about the process that took place. I helped the child within my means regarding this issue. Other than that, I did not make any contrary statements regarding the Ministry's activities. During this process, I could not remain indifferent to Fatma Nur, who reached out to me through the media, so I contacted her. I helped her within my means. Therefore, I am very sad about the complaint made by the Ministry. The actions that are the subject of the complaint do not require my prosecution. Therefore, I request a decision of non-prosecution regarding me."