Şamil Tayyar speaks on Beyoğlu harassment case: 'The judiciary should not be shaped by social media pressure'

AKP MKYK member Şamil Tayyar reacted sharply to the arrest of suspects in the sexual harassment incident that took place in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, following pressure on social media. 

It was learned that in the incident, which began when a 23-year-old young woman was harassed by two individuals, the woman was rescued as a result of intervention by bystanders. 

The two suspects, who were initially released, were arrested following growing reactions on social media. This development set the stage for Tayyar's criticisms regarding judicial processes.

JUDICIAL PROCESSES ARE EASILY INFLUENCED

In his statement, Tayyar drew attention to the impact of social media pressure on judicial decisions, stating, "The incident in Beyoğlu shows how easily judicial processes can be influenced. The arrest decision made as a result of reactions from social media is a clear example of this situation."

I DO NOT ACCEPT THE LYNCH CULTURE

Tayyar also stated that the decay in the judiciary is at the forefront of societal decay, adding, "It is unacceptable that the suspects were initially released despite there being video recordings of the attack. While the footage is clear evidence, there are serious questions about how the judiciary can be manipulated so easily. I do not accept the lynch culture on social media, but the fact that the judiciary is influenced in this way is a bigger problem."

Finally, Tayyar emphasized that judicial reform is inevitable and that the judiciary must conduct its own internal accounting. He also noted that demands for new laws to be enacted are increasing on the grounds that social media pressure negatively affects the judiciary.

Two perverts who sexually harassed a woman in Beyoğlu and nearly attempted rape in the middle of a crowd were first released by the court they were brought before, and then arrested following reactions on social media.

This change in decision is not the first; there are many examples.

While discussing these, sometimes…

— Şamil Tayyar (@samiltayyar27) October 6, 2024