Turkey finally detains father, "husband” in pedophile marriage case

Turkish security forces have detained young H.K.G.’s father Yusuf Ziya Gumusel and ex-“husband” Kadir Istekli over the pedophile marriage case that shook Turkey to the core after became public knowledge two weeks ago.

Istekli was detained on Wednesday and Gumusel on early Thursday, Diken news website reported.

The story of a six-year-old girl who was ”married off” by his cult leader father to a 29-year-old preacher of the same cult in 2002 shook Turkey after the abuse revealed by journalist Timur Soykan from Birgun newspaper on Dec.3.

It became public that H.K.G., now 24-years-old, informed the prosecution over the incident two years ago. In her testimony, she explained all the details of the sexual abuse, rape and violence throughout her enforced relationship with the man. She also provided the prosecution several photos showing her with the man, and a voice recording in which the man admits that he had sexual relation with her since she was very young.

The prosecutors in Istanbul filed a lawsuit against Gumusel and Istekli requested an arrest warrant of both men, which was rejected by the court panel at the time.

The first hearing of the trial over the organized pedophile case has brought forward from May to January after opposition lambasted the Justice Ministry as none of the defendants in the case were behind the bars.