Acquittal for Governor who kidnapped and assaulted his ex-girlfriend!

The allegation that Orhan Çiftçi kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, M.Ö., and assaulted her in a wooded area during his tenure as district governor in Mudanya was brought to the judiciary with a lawsuit filed in 2020.

Çiftçi and the other defendants were charged with "depriving a person of their liberty using force, threats, or deception, and insult."

SENTENCED TO 10 MONTHS IN PRISON

In the case heard at the Istanbul 4th High Criminal Court in 2023, Çiftçi and the other defendants were found guilty and sentenced to 2 years in prison. However, the sentence was reduced to 10 months due to the manner in which the crime was committed and a reduction for unjust provocation. Furthermore, the announcement of the verdict was deferred (HAGB).

Following an objection by the defense attorneys, the Istanbul 5th High Criminal Court overturned the HAGB decision, citing insufficient evidence and the fact that the victim had previously received psychological treatment, and acquitted Çiftçi. This decision was upheld by the appellate court. However, the lawyer for the victim, M.Ö., has taken the acquittal decision to the Court of Cassation.

While the Court of Cassation process is ongoing, the victim's lawyer stated that the decision should be re-examined in terms of the unjust provocation reduction and the evaluation of evidence. The outcome of the case is being awaited with great interest by the public.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Governor Orhan Çiftçi, who was recalled to the central government due to the accusations against him while serving as the Governor of Kırklareli, was in a relationship with the victim, M.Ö., during his time as the Mudanya District Governor.

Çiftçi and M.Ö. separated in 2017. Following the separation, Çiftçi kidnapped M.Ö. from a shopping mall in Bursa with the help of 3 people.

According to information in the case file, M.Ö. was forced into a vehicle and taken to a wooded area. Claiming that she was beaten there and forced to kiss the bottom of Çiftçi's shoe, M.Ö. went to the prosecutor's office and filed a criminal complaint on May 8, 2017. Making a statement regarding the incident that was reflected in the press, Çiftçi denied the allegations and did not comment on the security camera footage that emerged.