Child molester nabbed: Interior Minister

ANKARA / ISTANBUL

A suspect believed to have sexually abused a 5-year-old girl in Istanbul’s Küçükçekmece district on April 22 has been caught, said Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on April 25.

Soylu told reporters in the capital Ankara that authorities have been providing support to the child’s family since the incident came to light.

“The incident by itself is not in line with our culture. Unfortunately, we sometimes come across such incidents which we as society condemn,” the interior minister said, adding that the Istanbul governor’s office will later issue a statement regarding the unfortunate incident.

Demirören News Agency said on April 25 that the detained perpetrator was 18 years old and was of Pakistan origin.

The incident reportedly happened as the child was playing in the street. The unidentified perpetrator reportedly approached the child, took her behind an apartment and sexually abused her.

The child was later found unconscious by locals. She was hospitalized and listed as in “serious” condition.

Istanbul Chamber of Medicine, however, later issued a statement saying the child had recovered from her serious condition and was returned to her family.

In a statement issued on April 24, the Family Ministry said the child and the family will be provided psychological support to help them overcome the trauma.

“The relevant legal process will be followed by our ministry,” said the statement.