Special Sergeant Musa Orhan, who reportedly raped İpek Er in Siirt (Eruh) and caused her death via suicide, will attend the first hearing of the case from Ankara via Audio and Information System (SEGBİS).

It has been reported that 18-year-old Ipek Er was held by Sergeant Orhan for days and raped multiple times. After this, she attempted to take her own life. She was then hospitalized and died in hospital on 18 August 2020.

Orhan was initially detained in July after complaints from Er’s family but was subsequently released. On social media, a campaign demanding his arrest was initiated under the hashtag #MusaOrhanTutuklansın. He was subsequently arrested in August after the social media campaign highlighted the case to the wider public and there was a public outcry. However, a week later, he was released by court order again.

Representatives from several women’s associations, human rights organizations and bar associations will attend the trial. It will commence at Siirt 1st High Criminal Court on 16 October. The lawyers of İpek Er and her family will demand the arrest of Sergeant Orhan.