Man sentenced to two and a half years in prison for assault and sexual harassment of housemate

Haspolat, North Cyprus — A local court has sentenced 23-year-old Berkan Etçibaşı to two years and six months in prison for physically assaulting and sexually harassing his housemate, identified as Ç.T., in an incident that took place on March 21, 2024.

According to the court, the incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. at the shared residence of the defendant and the victim, located in the Haspolat Municipality housing complex. 

Announcing the ruling on Thursday June 5, the judge stated that the defendant first physically assaulted the victim before committing acts of sexual harassment. The court found that Etçibaşı used physical force by grabbing the victim’s hands and forcing her onto a bed during the attack, which was carried out through multiple actions.

The judge emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that sexual crimes, particularly those involving violence, are among the most serious offenses due to their profound impact on individual victims and public peace. “Sexual offenses are deeply disturbing crimes that create unrest within society,” she said. “They have been the subject of increased legal attention in recent years, with the Penal Code being amended to impose harsher penalties under the section titled ‘Offenses Against Morality.’”

The court highlighted that such acts, especially when committed in the victim’s own home—a place presumed to be safe—are particularly egregious. “No one has the right to touch another person's body without their consent,” the judge stated. “The severity of the offense, especially the use of physical force, serves as an aggravating factor in sentencing.”

While the court found imprisonment to be the most appropriate punishment given the nature and seriousness of the crime, it also considered several mitigating circumstances. These included the defendant’s admission of guilt, which contributed to a swifter resolution of the case, the victim’s subsequent withdrawal of her complaint, and the fact that Etçibaşı had no prior criminal record.

Taking all these factors into account, the court sentenced Berkan Etçibaşı to two years and six months in prison.