Turkish court sentences high school principal to 96 years for sexually assaulting 10 students

BOLU

A court in the northwestern province of Bolu on June 29 sentenced a 58-year-old high school principal to 96 years and 10 months in prison for sexually assaulting 10 female students, Doğan News Agency reported.

The convict, identified only as Metin S., was appointed to the Seben Multi-Program High School in Bolu’s Seben district in June last year, and was accused of sexual abuse, molestation, and inappropriately giving the students presents. 

Upon complaints from 10 students and their parents, an investigation was launched into the principal in December 2016 and he was then detained and arrested by a court order. 

The investigation revealed that a security camera had been set up in Metin S.’s office by the school’s former principal, which revealed the suspect’s abuse of the girls. Metin S. was reportedly not aware of the existence of the camera.

The Bolu Heavy Penal Court handed down a sentence of 6 years and three months for “molestation” of five students, a sentence of 17 years and 7 months for “sexually abusing” one student, and a sentence of 12 years for “sexual harassment” of four students. The penalties handed down to the principal amounted to 96 years and 10 months. 

The convict, identified only as Metin S., denied the allegations, saying he had been an educator for 39 years and had approached the girls with “the affection of a father.” 

“I have never been involved in any behavior with sexual motive during my relationships with my students, apart from showing an affection of a father and grandfather. I do not know why they have made such statements about me. I had only wanted to show affection for my students as I do behave with my own children and grandchildren,” Metin S. said.