Sexual harassment of 13 children at Anatolian Youth Association

2024-07-11 13:07:32


	 

	MÊRDÎN - It was revealed that 13 children were subjected to sexual harassment at the Mêrdîn Branch of the Anatolian Youth Association. The investigation launched upon the complaint turned into a lawsuit.

	 

	It was revealed that several children between the ages of 7 and 14 who went to the Anatolian Youth Association (AGD) in Artuklu district of Mêrdîn (Mardin-Kurdistan), known to be close to the Saadet Partisi, were sexually abused by the representative of the association named M.S.D. between 2022 and 2023. 

	 

	One of the children told his mother about the incident, and other children told their families about their experiences. On November 6, 2023, M.S.D. was detained and arrested within the scope of the investigation launched.

	 

	CHILDREN TOLD ABOUT ABUSE

	 

	Within the scope of the investigation carried out by Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an indictment was prepared and a lawsuit was filed on the charge of "sexual abuse of more than one child". In the indictment, the children stated that they went to the association with the knowledge of their families to play games, take religious lessons and various social activities, and that M.S.D. sexually harassed and abused them while they were playing games.

	 

	While the children stated that they filed a complaint against M.S.D., the families of 11 children, except the families of 2 of the children, stated that they did not file a complaint.

	 

	M.S.D., who stated that he was a security guard at the Credit Dormitories Institution and that he had been associated with AGD for 20 years, only denied the accusations in his defense.

	 

	FIRST HEARING HELD

	 

	The first hearing of the case was held on July 9th. While M.S.D. was present at the hearing, the defendant and victim lawyers were also present in the courtroom. The incoming documents were read and the defenses of the parties were made.

	 

	Afterwards, the court announced its interim decision and decided to continue the detention of M.S.D. on the grounds of strong suspicion of guilt, the existence of concrete evidence, the 

	nature of the imputed crime and the current state of evidence. The next hearing of the case will be held on August 7th. 

	MA / Ahmet Kanbal