Father sells 13-year-old daughter for gambling debt in southern Turkey

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

DHA Photo

A 13-year-old girl, who was sold by her father to cover a gambling debt, has been rescued by police in the southern province of Adana, Doğan news agency reported today.

The girl, Ş.Ç., reportedly dissapeared on Apr. 4 in southeastern province of Şanlıurfa. Her mother reported the situation to Şanlıurfa prosecutors and claimed that her husband could have sold the girl to 20-year-old Mehmet Karamus, because of his gambling debt.

Police questioned the father, Ahmet Ç., but he was released after saying that he did not know Mehmet Karamus or where his daugter was.

Police found out that the girl was being held captive in Adana and launched an operation to rescue her. The girl was found with Mehmet Karamus in a tent camp where rural workers stay.

Mehmet Karamus was detained and questioned by police, before being sent to the courthouse.

"Her father gave her in excange for his gambling debt" Karamus said at the first questioning. "I did not kidnap her." Karamus, who was already married and father of one, said he had taken the girl as his second wife.

Karamus was arrested in claims of kidnapping and sexually abusing a child, the report said.

Officials said prosecutors had also opened a file on the father.