Child sexual abuse case at Hiranur Foundation: Adjourned until June 10, 2024

The sentences handed down to the defendants in the case regarding the sexual abuse of H.K.G., the 6-year-old daughter of Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, founder of the Hiranur Foundation affiliated with the İsmailağa Community, who was subjected to years of sexual abuse after being married off via a religious ceremony to 29-year-old disciple Kadir İstekli, were overturned by the appellate court on the grounds that they were insufficient. Following the reversal, today's hearing of the case resulted in another adjournment and a confidentiality order.

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Child sexual abuse case at Hiranur Foundation: Adjourned until June 10, 2024

12punto.com.tr / Kübra Karasu - Aslı Ağırdil

In the case heard on October 23, 2023, regarding the sexual abuse of H.K.G., the daughter of Hiranur Foundation founder Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, who was subjected to years of sexual abuse after being married off via a religious ceremony to 29-year-old disciple Kadir İstekli when she was only 6 years old, Kadir İstekli was sentenced to 30 years, father Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel to 20 years, and mother Fatma Gümüşel to 16 years and 8 months in prison.

Following the verdict, the lawyer for the victim H.K.G., the lawyers for the defendants, the lawyer for the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and the public prosecutor appealed the case.

Evaluating the local court's decision, the 20th Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice overturned the verdict, stating that the sentences given to the defendants should be increased.

At today's hearing held following the reversal decision, the judge adjourned the case to June 10, 2024, and reimposed a confidentiality order.

UCİM ISSUED A STATEMENT

The prison sentences of 30 years for defendant Kadir İstekli, 20 years for father Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, and 16 years and 8 months for mother Fatma Gümüşel in the İsmailağa “abuse case” had been overturned by the Regional Court of Justice on the grounds that they were insufficient.

Following today's hearing held after this decision, UCİM issued a statement.

'WE ARE FOLLOWING THE CASE'

UCİM Association President Saadet Özkan stated, "The presiding judge said that if he hears details about the case being shared outside, he will file a separate criminal complaint. We are following the case until the very end."

?? The case regarding the abuse of H.K.G., the daughter of Hiranur Foundation founder Yusuf Ziya Gümüşel, who was married off at the age of 6, was retried. After the appellate court found the sentences insufficient, the case heard today was adjourned to June 10.

??? UCİM Association President Saadet Özkan:… pic.twitter.com/SkwQKsAktc
— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) May 6, 2024

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Appellate Court evaluated that while two separate sentences should have been issued for defendant Kadir İstekli for 'Qualified sexual abuse of a child' for the years 2004-2013 and 'Qualified sexual assault against a spouse' for the year 2020, he was sentenced for a single crime.

It stated that the sentences for the mother and father should have been increased by law due to their status as parents. The appellate court sent the file to the Anadolu 2nd High Criminal Court for a retrial.

The Istanbul Bar Association had previously issued a statement regarding the upcoming trial, noting that they would follow the hearing as observers with the message, "We are following the H.K.G. case."

The Bar Association's post is as follows:

"The verdict rendered in the 'Qualified Sexual Abuse of a Child' case of H.K.G., who was subjected to abuse from the age of 6, heard at the Istanbul Anadolu 2nd High Criminal Court, was overturned as a result of the appellate review conducted by the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice on the grounds that the defendants were given insufficient sentences.

Following the reversal decision, the new hearing date for the case will be held on 06.05.2024 at 10:00 at the Istanbul Anadolu 2nd High Criminal Court. We share with the public that we will continue to attend as observers in the case, which is held behind closed doors (confidential), and that we will follow the case until the defendants receive the harshest possible sentences..."

News Source: 12punto