08.04.2025 16:55
In Antalya, Y.E., who claimed to have been sexually abused by a theater instructor at the age of just 13, brought her experiences to court years later. The victim stated that the process began with the defendant holding her hand in a car and that he took her to secluded places where he sexually abused her. The victim's mother, in her statement, mentioned that the defendant's mother told her, "If you had taken care of your daughter."
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During the time Y.E. was part of a theater group within an NGO in Antalya, the first hearing of the case opened with the complaint of Y.E., who claims to have been subjected to systematic sexual abuse by the theater director, was held under extensive security measures. The defendant Ü.Z.A. is being tried for the charges of "qualified sexual abuse of a child" and "deprivation of liberty by coercion, threat, or deceit." The indictment states that the defendant systematically sexually abused the victim, emotionally and physically affected her, and that the victim received psychological support for years after the incident.
"THEY ARE SLANDERING ME"
The defendant Ü.Z.A. denied the charges in his defense during the hearing. Stating, "I am being slandered. I do not accept the accusations," the defendant claimed that their relationship was platonic. He also mentioned that some images taken from social media were included in the case file, asserting that these were obtained by his wife and taken from public accounts. The defendant stated that he had communicated with the victim's father after the incident and cut off communication at the request of the father.
"I AM VERY SCARED"
The victim Y.E. participated in the hearing via SEGBİS with the accompaniment of a pedagogue. Y.E. explained that she joined the theater group in 2011 due to her family's divorce process, stating that the defendant initially communicated with her through poems and writings, and then engaged in physical contact. Y.E. said that during various tours, the defendant took her to secluded places and sexually abused her, with the first sexual assault occurring on July 22, 2011.
In her statement, the victim indicated that she was very scared due to the social media visuals of the defendant's former boyfriends that he attached to his defense petition and felt threatened. Y.E. said, "He put photos of all my ex-boyfriends in the defense petition, I am very scared. I request his arrest."
"I AM EXPERIENCING THE GREATEST REGRET OF MY LIFE"
During the hearing, the victim's mother and father were also heard as witnesses. The father stated that they only became aware of the situation after the victim's mother found her diary, and that they did not understand the situation at first, but realized years later that their daughter had been abused.
The father mentioned that when he met the defendant, he encountered "a trembling man," stating, "We went through a difficult divorce in 2011. We could not communicate. The children were affected. My sister enrolled the children in theater. Months later, my ex-wife found our daughter's diary and called me. When I reviewed the content, I realized that my daughter had feelings for her teacher. If you have a child between the ages of 11-15, you would accept this situation and warn the teacher. I understood that my daughter had feelings and that the teacher reciprocated. My brother and I met the teacher at a café. When we met, there was a trembling man in front of me. I said, 'Your student may have feelings for you, your behavior is wrong, why did you give her the diary?' He said he gave it so she could express herself. He said, 'I gave the diary, I accept my mistake, I did not do anything to your daughter.' I am experiencing the greatest regret of my life for thinking this man was a decent person. This man is a pedophile. Does a teacher keep a student's letter for 13 years?"
"IF YOU HAD PROTECTED YOUR DAUGHTER"
The victim's mother also stated that after her daughter joined the theater group, she gradually became withdrawn, and upon suspicion, she searched her daughter's room, discovering the diary and the communications with the defendant. The mother added in her statement that during a phone call with the defendant's mother, the other party said, "If you had protected your daughter."
PROSECUTOR REQUESTED ARREST, COURT REJECTED
The prosecutor requested the arrest of the defendant, and if this request was not accepted, he sought the implementation of judicial control measures. Additionally, a request was made for a restraining order against the victim under Law No. 6284, prohibiting the defendant from approaching or communicating with her. The court decided that the defendant would be tried without detention and did not impose any judicial control measures. The hearing was adjourned to June 10, 2025. The hearing was followed by many advocates for women's and children's rights. Representatives of the Association for Children and Women made a supportive statement in front of the courthouse.
ALLEGATIONS OF OTHER HARASSMENT
After the hearing, the victim's lawyer Yağmur Burçin Sayın made a statement in front of the court. Sayın pointed out that the defendant had made contradictory statements, stating, "None of the evidence presented by the defendant is valid. My client was abused at the age of 13 and has been silenced during this process. Even though she gave her statement via SEGBİS today, she was not allowed into the courtroom. Our witnesses will be heard at the next hearing. It is understood that the defendant has systematically prepared in many ways, such as letters, emails, and social media tracking," she said.
Sayın also stated that allegations of letters and harassment against another woman would be presented as a witness during the trial process. Indicating that the defendant should be tried in detention, Sayın said, "The defendant was silent. People like this are usually silent."
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