Scandalous court ruling: Two defendants who attacked a young woman in Beyoğlu released
Two defendants who attempted to sexually assault a 25-year-old woman in Beyoğlu were sentenced to 9 years and 7 years and 6 months in prison, respectively. However, in a scandalous decision, the court ordered the release of both defendants, taking into account the time they had already spent in custody.
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The trial regarding the attempted sexual assault of a young woman walking on the street in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district has concluded. While the court sentenced the two defendants to prison, it announced a decision to release them, citing the time they had already served in custody.
The incident occurred on September 23, 2024, in Beyoğlu. 25-year-old İremşan A., who was walking on the street to get home, was intercepted by defendants Ömer Konu (27) and Semir Tarhan (31). The young woman was knocked to the ground and subjected to an attempted sexual assault by the defendants, who climbed on top of her.
The final hearing held at the Istanbul High Criminal Court was attended by the detained defendants via the SEGBİS video conferencing system. The victim, İremşan A., and the lawyers for both sides were present in the courtroom.
When asked for their final statements, both defendants requested acquittal and release.
The court sentenced defendant Semir Tarhan to 9 years in prison for 'sexual assault committed by more than one person,' taking into account his previously finalized sentence.
Defendant Ömer Konu was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison for the same offense.
RELEASE DECISION
The court ordered the release of both defendants, taking into account the time they had already spent in custody.
The panel ruled that the incident constituted only the crime of 'sexual assault,' stating that there was no additional act that completely deprived the victim of her freedom of movement. For this reason, the two defendants were acquitted of the charge of 'deprivation of liberty' on the grounds that the legal elements of the crime were not met.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that while the complainant İremşan A. was walking on the street, the suspects Ömer Konu and Semir Tarhan, whom she did not know, blocked her path and touched her shoulder. Although İremşan A. moved forward to escape, the suspects cornered her; during this time, Semir Tarhan put his hand on the complainant's waist, made physical contact with her body, stroked her hair, and would not let her go, eventually knocking her to the ground and climbing on top of her.
The indictment noted that the other suspect, Ömer Konu, was keeping watch, and that people in the vicinity intervened and drove the suspects away after witnessing the incident.
The prepared indictment requested that the suspects Ömer Konu and Semir Tarhan be sentenced to a total of 10 years and 6 months to 30 years in prison each for the crimes of 'deprivation of liberty' and 'simple sexual assault' against a person who is unable to defend themselves physically or mentally.