The sixth case of Yusuf Ziya Gümüsel, founder of the Hiranur Foundation affiliated with the Ismaila community, regarding the “marriage by the imam” of his daughter HKG when she was six years old and her sexual abuse by Kadir Istanbul, was heard in the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse. Was. , The court postponed the hearing till October 23.
The sixth hearing of the case related to the “marriage” of HKG, the daughter of Yusuf Ziya Gumucel, one of the founders of the Hiranur Foundation, to 29-year-old sect member Kadir Estekali and the sexual abuse of her when she was 6 years old was held. , was held at the Anatolian Second High Criminal Court.
Since Yusuf Ziya Gumusel’s lawyer had resigned in the previous hearing and the new lawyer requested time to defend himself, the court granted time to the defendant’s lawyer and adjourned the hearing to 23 October.
Istanbul Bar Association President giving statement after the hearing prey. Phillies Sarac, “An effort is being made to remove the matter from the agenda. “We are determined to pursue this case.” Said.
CHP Trabzon Deputy and prey. Sibel Suikmez Whereas “We are near the end. “There are efforts by the defense to prolong the case, but we think the case will end on October 23.” He said.
General Secretary of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform, who came to court for the case. Fidan AtaselimSpoke before the hearing.
Ataselim said that they would protect the children, “Now we are waiting for the decision to be taken today. We want criminals and their associates to be punished as they deserve, as is the expectation of the entire society. Let us take a decision which will become an example for the future of women and children. Women and children are exploited in these countries every day, often by exploiting religion in some form or the other. No one can say anything on the bodies of children. Even the families can’t say anything. “Those children are children of this society, children of this country, children of this land, so don’t be afraid.” Said.
What happened?
The first information about the allegations of abuse and the main points of the indictment were published in Birgun on December 7, 2022 with the signature of journalist Timur Soykan. According to information provided in the indictment, Yusuf Ziya Gumusel, founder of the Hiranur Foundation, affiliated with the Ismailis community, married his daughter HKG to sect member Kadir Estekali “in an imam marriage” when she was six years old. HKG launched a legal battle in December 2020, stating in his statement in the indictment that he had been sexually abused for years. The HKG was taken under protection by the Ministry of Family and Social Services in 2020.
Just days before the first hearing, the place of duty of Erken Atece, the prosecutor who wrote the indictment in the case, was changed, and all of his identifying information was changed in line with the HKG’s request. The Forensic Medicine Institute determined that HKG’s mental health deteriorated due to what happened to him. The Ministry of Family and Social Services requested that the first pre-trial hearing be held behind closed doors and that a publication ban be imposed.
Father Yusuf Ziya Gumusel and mother Fatima Gumusel requested a prison sentence of up to 22 years and 6 months and a prison sentence of up to 67 years, 10 months and 15 days on charges of “sexual abuse by chaining a child” Has gone. A lawsuit was filed against Kadir Istkeli on charges of “sexual abuse of a child in chains” and “sexual harassment”.
At the first hearing of the case related to the HKG’s sexual abuse on January 31, the court decided that the hearing would be closed to the press and a publication ban was imposed.