Defense of Ticani Order sheikh arrested for sexual assault revealed: 'Women conspired against me'

In Bursa, Ticani Order Sheikh Ahmet Şahin Uçar was arrested on charges of sexual assault and harassment against his female followers. Uçar's statements have emerged, following a judicial control decision previously issued against him for sexual harassment of another woman.

Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz shared Uçar's defense statements given to the prosecutor's office and the court in his column.

HE IS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER

In his statement to the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on July 25, 55-year-old Uçar stated that he is married and a father of two. Explaining that he retired from the police force in 2006 after 15 years of service, Uçar said he founded the Arifane Science Association in 2017, conducted religious conversations by reading the works of Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi, and that these conversations were published on the Arifane Science Association's YouTube channel.

In his defense in court, Uçar claimed that the women had conspired against him.

İsmail Saymaz pointed out that Uçar denied the accusations and that there was an attempt to cover up a previously opened file.

The relevant part of Saymaz's article is as follows:

"In his statement taken at the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on July 25, he said he was married and a father of two. 

Uçar said, 'I did not declare myself a sheikh. I only stated that I was a spiritual guide in the context of providing guidance.'

Claiming that G. asked religious questions and he provided answers, he said the following:

'I did not hypnotize anyone. I did not physically meet with G. I did not ask G. or anyone else to send explicit photos. I have no correspondence with G. I did not tell anyone that I wanted to have sex. We do not have a guesthouse. I did not have sexually explicit conversations in my talks. I did not have any sexually explicit conversations or messaging with G. Many people call me.'

Following this statement, transcripts of phone calls recorded by G. were presented to Uçar. These conversations contained sexual content and references. Uçar said, 'I may have had those conversations, but if such a conversation was recorded, it is unlawful.'

Regarding Ç.'s allegations, Uçar said, 'I did not ask her for sexual photos. I did not commit sexual assault.'

Uçar was referred to the Bursa 3rd Criminal Court of Peace with a request for his arrest.

In court, Uçar said 'I don't know' regarding the audio recordings. However, he admitted that they had chatted with G. 'We may have discussed religious topics, but I did not send an audio recording. I never met face-to-face. We have conversations from time to time. There are those who ask questions, so I may have spoken to them,' he said.

He claimed that he had spoken with Ç. but did not commit any sexual act against her. 'I think the complainants are acting together and have conspired against me,' he said.

Uçar was arrested on charges of sexual assault for his actions against Ç. A judicial control decision was issued for the charge of sexual harassment against G."