Istanbul man who attacked woman for wearing shorts released pending trial

Damla Güler – ISTANBUL

A man arrested for kicking a young woman in the face on a public bus for wearing shorts was released pending trial during the first hearing at an Istanbul court on Oct. 26. 

Both the defendant Abdullah Çakıroğlu and the plaintiff Ayşegül Terzi were present at the first hearing of the trial, ahead of which police took intense security measures. 

Çakıroğlu, who has been released but not acquitted, claimed in the hearing that he was provoked due to the victim’s outfit and the way she was sitting.

He also said he was suffering from epilepsy and his complaints peaked just before the incident, as he was waiting to receive medicine to address his anxiety. 

He said that when he first saw Terzi on the bus, he thought the way she was sitting was “obscene.”
“I warned her to sit appropriately,” said Çakıroğlu, adding that when she ignored him he could not handle it and he “hit her impulsively.”

The defendant said he accepted that his act was not right but also claimed that Terzi “was not right either,” saying her outfit was “not appropriate” for the bus.

“There were mothers and fathers there. It was affecting everybody’s psychological state,” he said.

Çakıroğlu denied that he said “we should cut off the heads of people like this,” as has been reported, while he was beaten up on the bus after the kick and also beaten in jail during his arrest.

Terzi also spoke during the hearing, denying that Çakıroğlu’s claims of “appropriateness” could justify his assault. 

“I do not remember what he said. I only know that when I got on the bus, I put bags with my hand onto my lap. My legs were closed,” said Terzi. 

She stated that Çakıroğlu’s kick could not be justified by religion, adding that she was fearful of a repeat attack if the defendant was released as the two live close to each other. 

The court later ruled to release Çakıroğlu pending the next hearing in the case.