Release decision in H.K.G. sexual abuse case: 'The struggle must grow'

Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, one of the founders of the Hiranur Foundation affiliated with the İsmailağa Community, had been arrested for "marrying off" his daughter H.K.G. at the age of 6 through a religious marriage and subjecting her to sexual abuse.

The 20th Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice has issued a release decision for Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel under judicial control conditions. 

'DIRECT INTERFERENCE IN THE JUDICIARY'

Lawyer Pınar Akbina, a People's Lawyer following the case, evaluated the release decision as "direct interference by the AKP and its cohorts in the judiciary," stating, "The medievalist-reactionary government currently ruling our country is constantly attacking our workers, our women, our children, and the animals on our streets with the laws it enacts and its practices. It is constantly eroding secularism, which means the freedom of our women and children. Unfortunately, sects and communities have entrenched themselves in our judicial system. For this reason, this decision is not surprising. In fact, public pressure was the main factor that ensured the conviction of this individual who 'married off' his 6-year-old daughter to his disciple, as well as the disciple Kader İstekli and our daughter's mother. Although we do not find the sentences sufficient, the laws that should have been applied were actually applied due to public pressure."

On the other hand, Lawyer Akbina described the statements made by Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, known as Cübbeli Ahmet, following the decision as proof of how the judiciary is being interfered with. 

'COULD NOT DEFEND IT DUE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE'

Furthermore, Lawyer Akbina stated that the most memorable moment for her in the case was "the sect members who had to make their defense in their robes and baggy trousers in front of two female judges, one of whom was wearing a headscarf, and one male judge, in front of a photograph of Mustafa Kemal," adding, "This case is not just a simple child abuse case. It is also a case that exposes the true face of reactionary foundations, associations, and sects. During the hearings, although Gümüşel could not defend the marriage at age 6, he expressed that he saw age 14 as normal. In fact, what he has in mind is to defend the marriage at age 6, which he sees as a sunnah, but he could not defend it due to public pressure. As the People's Liberation Party, we requested to intervene in the case at the beginning, along with many democratic people's organizations. However, our request to intervene was rejected. At the same time, we also applied to the General Directorate of Foundations for the closure of the Hiranur Foundation." 

In addition to her words, Lawyer Akbina stated, "At the first hearing, there were dozens of women wearing headscarves in front of the door. I thought they were sect members, but they said they had come to support our daughter H.K.G. This was an important event that caught my attention." 

'THE STRUGGLE MUST GROW'

Regarding the impact the release decision will have on society, Lawyer Akbina said, "This case has caused deep outrage not only in the left-wing segment but even among our people who believe in and embrace Islam. The debate over whether marriage at age 6 really happened or not in Islamic history has been further fueled, and even Theology Professors prove that marriages at this age did occur. This decision has created great anger, especially among our women and children. In response to all of this, the social struggle against the practices of this medievalist and reactionary government must grow."

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU