Harassment conviction comes with a 4-installment fine: 'I was very surprised'

K.E. (37), a mother of three, filed a complaint on October 25, 2023, alleging that she was subjected to harassment via text messages by school principal İrfan S.

Following the complaint, an investigation was launched against the principal, but he was released to be tried without arrest.

The school principal appeared for the final hearing at the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of "harassment via electronic communication."

It was recalled that school principal İrfan S. had sent messages to the young woman such as, "Don't show your loneliness, I am lonely too, I'll come over," and had written the comment, "I cannot bear to see you with your husband," under a photo she shared with her husband on social media.

The court initially sentenced the defendant to 135 days of judicial fines because the harassment was carried out using communication tools, then reduced the sentence to 112 days due to the defendant's lack of a prior criminal record, ruling that he pay a total fine of 2,240 Turkish Liras at a rate of 20 liras per day in 4 installments.

"DID SOMEONE HAVE TO GET HURT EVEN MORE?"

Reacting to the leniency of the sentence, K.E. said, "The trial process was difficult for me. He received a 112-day fine. I was very surprised that it was in installments. It could have been a prison sentence.

It should have been a prison sentence, not a fine in installments. I started a legal battle because I believed I was in the right.

I wanted him to receive a harsher penalty. For a year, my family and I were worn out. Did someone have to get hurt even more for him to receive a harsher penalty?

My husband and family were supportive, but it was constantly talked about for a year, and it was a very exhausting and upsetting period psychologically. An educator should not act this way.

Everyone entrusts their children to this educator. He has had many cases before, but he has managed to be acquitted somehow."

News Source: İHA