Istanbul TV Preacher And Cult Leader Gets 8,658-Year Jail Term For Sexual Assault

In a retrial on Wednesday, an Istanbul court handed down an 8,658-year prison term to a Muslim televangelist who surrounded himself with women wearing skimpy clothing and whom he referred to as "kittens," as per local media.

Adnan Oktar/Twitter

Adnan Oktar hosted television shows where he advocated creationism and conservative principles while surrounded by women covered in makeup and wearing very little clothing.

Who is Adnan Oktar?

Oktar, viewed as the head of a cult by his critics, became well-known for his shows on the online A9 television channel and frequently came under fire from Turkey's religious authorities.

The 66-year-old was given a 1,075-year sentence last year for crimes such as sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, fraud, and attempted espionage in politics and the military.

However, an upper court overruled that decision.

Twitter

Oktar was found guilty of various offenses, including sexual abuse and depriving a person of their liberty. According to the Anadolu news agency, the Istanbul High Criminal Court sentenced him to 8,658 years in jail.

According to the agency, the court also gave each of the other 10 accused a sentence of 8,658 years in jail.

He was detained in Istanbul in 2018 as part of an investigation by the city's police financial crimes unit as part of a significant crackdown on his group.

(With agency inputs)

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