Sexual abuse scandal at an İmam Hatip high school: 16 boys

The school administration first took written statements from the children. Subsequently, the prosecutor, to whom the incident was reported, took the children's testimonies in the presence of a child psychologist.

BOTH VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE

According to a report by Onur Durmuş from BirGün, some of the 16 male students stated in their testimonies that they were subjected to only verbal abuse, while others were subjected to both verbal and physical abuse.

The students stated that K.Ç. touched their private parts and made sexually suggestive remarks to them.

SENT TO PRISON

Following the students' testimonies, an investigation was launched into K.Ç. under the prosecutor's instructions. K.Ç., who was arrested by the Fatsa High Criminal Court, was sent to Ünye Prison.

JURISDICTION FOR THE ACT LIES WITH THE HIGHER COURT

The investigation, which began at the Aybastı Criminal Court of First Instance, was later transferred to the Fatsa High Criminal Court.

The Fatsa High Criminal Court referred the file to the Aybastı Criminal Court of First Instance to be sent to the Samsun Regional Court of Justice in order to resolve the "implicit jurisdictional dispute" that had arisen between it and the Aybastı High Criminal Court.

The decision stated, "Upon review, it was decided to send the file to the Samsun Regional Court of Justice on the grounds that the act constitutes the crime of sexual abuse of a child and that the assessment of the acts attributed to the defendant falls under the jurisdiction of a higher court."

"PEOPLE CAME TO GET US TO WITHDRAW OUR STATEMENTS"

While the legal process regarding the incident is ongoing, it has been alleged that some administrators working at the Aybastı Municipality pressured the families of the students who filed complaints to withdraw their statements.

A parent of one of the students abused by the suspect claimed, "Some people came to us to get us to withdraw our statement. During the meeting, they said, 'Your children's photos will be exposed, and this situation will be recorded on the children's criminal records. It will come up when they apply for jobs. Drop this complaint.'"

K.Ç.'s lawyer, meanwhile, declined to answer questions, citing a "confidentiality order" on the case.

TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

Approximately four months before the children filed their complaints with the prosecutor's office, the teacher named K.Ç. was transferred by the school administration while he was an assistant principal at the Aybastı Anatolian İmam Hatip High School for "using sexist language toward children."  It was also revealed that an investigation had been launched against him for this reason and that he had been temporarily reassigned to Aybastı Anatolian High School.