Former footballer Ümit Karan arrested for sexual assault!

The acquittal decision issued by the court of first instance in the case where former national footballer Ümit Karan was tried on charges of "simple sexual assault remaining at the level of molestation" was overturned by the appellate court. The 20th Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice sentenced Karan to 1 year and 8 months in prison. This decision was upheld and became final.

SENT TO METRIS PRISON

According to a report by Sabah, following the finalization of the verdict, Karan arrived at the Bakırköy Courthouse today to surrender. After the procedures there, the former footballer was sent to Metris Prison.

BENEFITED FROM PROBATION 

According to information provided by Sports Digitale Editor-in-Chief Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, former footballer and manager Ümit Karan was released from prison because the sentence duration was short. Karan was released under 'probation'.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In the incident alleged to have occurred in 2015, it was claimed that Ümit Karan committed "simple sexual assault" against I.A., who worked as a security guard in the apartment building where he lived. A lawsuit was filed against him with a request for up to 5 years in prison for this charge. In the trial held at the Bakırköy 37th Criminal Court of First Instance, Karan was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

"THE ACCUSATIONS ARE NOT TRUE"

However, the lawyer for the security guard, I.A., appealed the decision and took the case to the appellate court. The file was re-evaluated at the 20th Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice. Presenting his defense there, Ümit Karan denied the accusations, stating, "I have never done wrong to anyone in my life. The accusations are not true."

Taking the floor at the final hearing, Karan continued his defense with the following words: "I have served this country. I have never done wrong to anyone in my life. I am a Kemalist. If you are going to punish me for being a Kemalist, I accept it." Upon these words, Presiding Judge Ersoy Yüce reacted by saying, "Are Kemalists being punished?" Karan's lawyer intervened, explaining, "He is trying to say something else."

News Source: 12punto