Prosecutor objects to release of assailant who kicked woman wearing shorts

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Istanbul prosecutors have issued an objection to a court’s decision that released a man who was under trial for assaulting a woman wearing shorts on a public bus in Istanbul. 

Anatolian Chief Prosecutor’s Office prosecutor Abdurrahman Üşenmez sent the document to an Istanbul court which ordered the release of Abdullah Çakıroğlu on Oct. 26 pending trial over charges of “making insults” and “limiting freedoms.”

Çakıroğlu kicked and injured Ayşegül Terzi, who was working as a nurse, in the face on a public bus in the Maslak neighborhood for wearing shorts on Sept. 12, on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday. 

The objection said the suspect must remain under arrest due to the state of the evidence against the suspect, the duration of the demanded sentence, the suspect’s time held in custody and the fact that not all evidence has been collected.

The first hearing in the assault case was conducted on Oct. 26 with the presence of both the defendant and the plaintiff. 

In his testimony, Çakıroğlu claimed he was provoked by Terzi’s outfit and the way she was sitting.

Çakıroğlu could face jail time ranging from two years and seven months to nine years and four months on charges of “obstructing the exercise of freedom of belief and thought,” “inciting animosity in society” and “malicious injury.”

He was detained after Terzi filed a complaint against him, but was released shortly after testifying to the prosecutor since his act of “actual bodily harm” did not fall into the category of an offense that would require arrest.

 However, another prosecutor ordered his re-detainment on Sept. 18 on charges of “inciting animosity among society” after his release sparked massive reaction from the public. One day later, an Istanbul court ordered the arrest of Çakıroğlu.