Abuse trial in Turkey: girl married at the age of six – husband faces long prison sentence

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Protest against child brides in Ankara (archive image)

Photo: Burhan Ozbilici/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

In Turkey, the trial of the alleged forced marriage of a six-year-old began almost 20 years ago.

The kick-off took place on Monday in Istanbul with great media attention.

The parents and ex-husband of today's adults are accused.

All three are accused of child abuse, the ex-husband is also accused of sexual assault, as the daily newspaper »Hürriyet« reported, citing the indictment.

At the end of 2020, the alleged victim had filed a lawsuit.

Women's rights activists from various organizations had gathered in front of the courthouse to denounce the systematic rape of minors and the cover-up of the crimes by official institutions.

Representatives of the Ministry for Family Affairs, political parties and women's and children's rights organizations followed the hearing with interest.

Prosecutors have accused the father - the founder of the influential Islamic Hiranur Foundation - of marrying his daughter to a 29-year-old man in an Islamic ceremony in 2004.

The two were also married in a civil ceremony after the plaintiff had reached the age of majority.

According to "Hürriyet", the ex-husband faces more than 67 years in prison and the parents more than 22 years.

The accused are in custody.

A journalist from the opposition newspaper »Birgün« made the case public, which led to great outrage in Turkey.

He also fueled the discussion about the influence of Islamic orders in Turkey.

According to »Birgün«, a doctor became aware of the alleged abuse in 2012 and is said to have informed the authorities.

However, there was no prosecution.

The public prosecutor's office has now also filed a complaint against the authorities investigating at the time.

ala/dpa