The trial of a sexual harasser was to be held on December 10^th at the Hall of Justice in Ankara. In the trial, Dr. Hasan Bilgili, a professor from the University of Ankara is being charged with sexual assault to a veterinarian women working for him.

Prior to the trial, a group of women from the Ankara Women’s Platform organized a press release in front of the Hall of Justice to expose the rising attacks on women related to the current trial. However, the Turkish police did not allow the gathering. Confronted by the police, Aysun Gençtanır, a member of the Women’s Defense Association addressed the gathered women and guests saying, “Those who are trying to protect the murderers, are preventing us from speaking. Whatever happens we will not let the ruling AKP party or the murderers get away. We are not silent. We are not afraid. We will not obey.”

The crowd then started to chant, “We are not silent, we are not afraid.” The police stepped in to prevent both the press release and the chants. This agitated the women more and they shouted back, “You are all women haters, you are protecting the murderers.” Police started beating, pushing and shoving the women. Three members of the Women’s Platform were pushed to the ground by the police and dragged and detained. The women were later fined and released.

Police also prevented the press to take any pictures or videos. The journalists recording the event were pushed by the police and forcefully removed from the scene. Burcu Yıldırım, reporting for the Evrensel Daily protested the police interference. However, the police responded, “Go and complain to whoever you wish to.”

The women later moved into the court to observe the trial.

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