Transgender sex workers accused of beating, stabbing two men in central Turkey

KARAMAN

Two transgender sex workers have been detained in Turkey’s Central Anatolian province of Karaman for beating and stabbing two men in a rift. 

According to Demirören News Agency, the 36 and 33-year-old suspects made a deal with the two men to be paid for sex at an apartment they rented. The two groups started arguing in the apartment early Jan. 28 for an unknown reason, which soon turned into a physical fight.

The 25-year-old man was stabbed from his arm during the fight, the report said, adding that the 20-year-old man was beaten by the sex workers.

The two men, who called the police to the scene, were sent to a hospital for treatment.

Police launched an investigation into the incident, while detaining the sex workers.

Prostitution in officially registered brothels, known as “general houses,” is legal in Turkey.

Under health laws dealing with sexually transmitted infections, the state’s regulatory agencies issue identity cards to sex workers that give them rights to some free medical care and other social services.

Illegal prostitution, on the other hand, is classified as operating a brothel without a license or being a prostitute without having health check-ups or a license, which are punishable with one year in prison.

There are also heavy jail sentences for human trafficking and related crimes.