JINHA

ADANA - Turkish police sexually tortured a woman under arrest and threatened to share pictures of her genitals on Facebook, she testified yesterday.

Police arrested Figen Şahin, 25, as they were attacking a demonstration in the city of Adana. Residents of the Dağlıoğlu neighborhood had gathered to announce that they were declaring self-government in protest of police attacks. Yesterday, Figen testified before a court.

"Eight to 10 police took me out of the car in an area with no cameras," said Figen. The police then began to beat her. "Four police separated my legs and began to kick me in the genital region and legs. Meanwhile, two police were constantly kicking my breasts, which caused me to have heart contractions and I was hospitalized."

Figen said that police forced her to take her clothes off while under arrest and photographed her genital region. They then threatened to broadcast the photographs on her Facebook.

The woman testified that she had not been involved in any clashes with police. Police have claimed as a reason for her arrest that she had covered her face with a pushi (keffiyeh). Figen testified that she had a scarf around her neck, which she uses to protect her face while working in the fields. Police have also claimed that she was carrying lighter fluid and a plastic bottle, a claim that Figen also denies.

Figen plans to file charges.

(fz/mg/cm)