Man who attacked woman for wearing shorts in Istanbul faces up to nine years in jail

Istanbul, Sep 28 (DHA) - A prosecutor has demanded up to nine years in jail for a man who attacked and injured a 23-year-old woman on a public bus in Istanbul for wearing shorts.
According to the six-page indictment prepared by the Istanbul Anadolu Public Prosecutor’s Office on Sept. 28, Abdullah Çakıroğlu could face jail terms ranging from two years and seven months to nine years and four months on charges of “obstructing the usage of freedom of belief and thought,” “inciting animosity among society” and “malicious injuring.”

He is expected to be tried once the court accepts the prosecutor’s indictment.

Çakıroğlu kicked and injured Ayşegül T., who was working as a nurse, in the face on a public bus in the Maslak neighborhood for wearing shorts on Sept. 12, on the first day of the Feast of Sacrifice holiday.

He was detained after Ayşegül T. filed a complaint but released shortly after testifying to the prosecutor since his act of “actual bodily harm” did not fall into the category of an offense that would require an arrest.
However, another prosecutor ordered his re-detainment on Sept. 18 on charges of “inciting animosity among society” after his release sparked massive reaction from the public. One day later, an Istanbul court ordered the arrest of Çakıroğlu.

Çakıroğlu, who was working as a security guard at a private company, reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder and had been treated at a mental facility multiple times, was recently released from hospital and was not taking his medication regularly.

In his testimony, he reportedly defended himself saying that Ayşegül T. dressed against his traditions and that he impulsively kicked her.

According to his second testimony obtained by daily Hürriyet, Çakıroğlu also said he would be less aroused had the woman dressed “properly.”

Meanwhile, speaking to daily Habertürk, Ayşegül T. said that she was still trying to recover from the psychological trauma of the attack.