Muğla governor denies British tabloid’s story

State officials have strongly rejected the allegations of a British tabloid magazine suggesting a rapist was set loose in the popular resort town of Marmaris. A suspect accused of raping four tourists spent 10 month in jail and was released pending trial, the Muğla governor said.

British tabloid magazine “Take a Break” ran a story last week arguing that Hamza Keskin, a Turkish cook, became a “nightmare” for British women visiting Marmaris. The magazine argued in its article that Keskin, who was arrested for allegedly raping four tourists one year ago, continued harassing women after he was released.

The magazine also ran a petition addressed to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, demanding more sensitivity on complaints of rape and sexual assault. The magazine also said it would tell its readers to spend their holidays somewhere else if the situation did not improve.

‘We will send a complaint’

Muğla Gov. Ahmet Altıparmak told the Anatolia news agency that there was no wrongdoing by the police in the case. “The suspect was caught one year ago, one day after the police received the complaint,” he said. “He was charged with five counts of crimes and arrested. He was released pending trial after spending 10 months in prison and will go back if found guilty.”

The governor said the story on “Take A Break” was based on false information and that his office would send a letter of complaint demanding a correction.

“We are very careful on such issues,” Altıparmak said. “We have recently set up a hotline for foreigners here, which can be reached directly at 179. Stories like this one aim to damage Turkey’s reputation and tourism. We might file a lawsuit for damages if need be.”

Keskin, accused by the magazine, also rejected the allegations. “I was set up by my British girlfriend and British reporters,” he told the Anatolia news agency over the phone. “The charges against me have not yet been proven, and I have another session on Oct. 1.”

Meanwhile, Marmaris police officials said Keskin fled Marmaris one week ago after stealing everything from a house he shares with his Finnish girlfriend.

Also we all know that Take A Break offers money to readers for their story, local resources shows that Take A Break magazine is againts to Turkey alot and has been trying to effect Turkish Tourism over the last years.

Source – Hurriyet Daily News