Court rejects arrest demand for officers in southeastern Turkey rape case

BİNGÖL – Doğan News Agency

Around 300 Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) members staged a protest against court desicion to release suspects. DHA Photo

In the sexual abuse and rape case of a minor in the southeastern province of Bingöl, after the release of the four accused sergeants, the demand for their arrest and the lifting of the “secrecy” decision on the case have been rejected by the court.

The 16-year-old 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.

Çakabey received an answer June 23 that the demands had been rejected. The demand for the arrest of the suspects was rejected because there was no change in the evidence situation. The demand for the lifting of the “secrecy” decision was rejected because there was again no change in the evidence and also considering the nature and the features of the crime.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policies has also been involved in the case and sent lawyers and social experts to Bingöl. The number of suspects could rise, the media report said.