5-star Istanbul hotel covers up sexual assault by businessman: claim

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

The management of a 5-star hotel in Istanbul tried to cover up a businessman’s sexual assault of a staff member, telling the employee that the "strong businessman" would make it impossible for her to prove her case, daily Habertürk reported.

The woman was attacked from behind as she was changing sheets during the morning cleaning. The man let go when she screamed, and she ran out of the room toward the lobby.

Hotel management stopped the businessman as he was leaving the hotel and tried to reconcile the two. The man reportedly apologized repeatedly, and the hotel tried to cover up the story by convincing the woman not to press charges against the man.

The woman, however, refused to excuse the businessman and wanted to call the police. The hotel management let the businessman go, warning the woman not to press charges.

She was told that she would be fired, and that getting the police involved would bring her “further shame” because she would not be able to prove her story.

The woman went home, returned with her family and then pressed charges against the wealthy businessman.

The investigation of the matter continues.