One sergeant jailed in southeastern Turkey rape case

ISTANBUL

The heads of several lawyers' bars gathered in Bingöl to follow the case. AA Photo

One suspect has been arrested for charges related to the rape of a 16-year-old girl in the southeastern province of Bingöl, a case which has caused great public outcry following the release of all four suspects. 

The suspect, identified as M.T., was arrested in accordance with the investigation that looks into charges of “sexual abuse and restricting freedom.” 

The victim, identified only by the initials E.A., lives in the Solhan district of Bingöl and reportedly filed an official complaint last month in which she stated that five sergeants had repeatedly sexually abused and raped her over the last two years. E.A.’s lawyer, Canan Çakabey, had demanded on June 20 that the suspects be arrested.

The court had previously rejected demands for arrest following the release of the four accused sergeants as well as the lifting of the secrecy decision on the case on June 23. 

The Ministry of Family and Social Policies has also been involved in the case, sending lawyers and social experts to Bingöl. The number of suspects could well rise, media reports suggest.