It was revealed that Muammer Uğur, a teacher at Şehit Komiser Umut Tunçay Primary-Secondary School in central Şirnex (Şırnak), sexually harassed some students and was arrested upon a complaint. The girls D.S.B. (13), M.A. (11), A.A. (11) and A.G.Z. (12), who were subjected to sexual harassment, told their families what happened. Upon the complaint of the families, Uğur was detained and arrested on 28 September.

 

CHILDREN TOLD ABOUT THE HARASSMENT

 

D.S.B., whose statement was taken on 27 September as part of the investigation, described the harassment she experienced. D.S.B. stated that she had heard that teacher Uğur had also harassed other students. In its report, the Child Monitoring Center at Şırnak State Hospital noted that D.S.B. was open to communication, that her comprehension and understanding skills were compatible with her age, that she was able to convey environmental details in the information she provided and that she "sincerely explained" the events she had experienced. It was stated that D.S.B.'s statements were also identified in the Video Monitoring and Review Report of the Provincial Security Directorate. Other victims also described the harassment they experienced in their statements.

 

Uğur denied the accusations in his statement and claimed that the children were "lured". The report prepared by the Provincial Security Directorate's Anti-Cyber Crimes Public Security Branch Directorate included photographs of Uğur hugging children.

 

HEARING ON 16 MAY

 

Şırnak Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared a 7-page indictment against Uğur. The indictment, which includes the statements of the students and reports, was accepted by Şırnak Heavy Penal Court. The indictment demands sentence for Uğur on the charge of "sexual abuse" and stated: "Muammer Uğur is requested to be deprived of the use of certain rights in accordance with Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code due to the offence he committed intentionally".

 

So far 3 hearings have been held in the case against Uğur. The 4th hearing will be held on 16 May.

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut