Cult leader sentenced to 8,500 years for sex crimes

A TURKISH cult leader who was often seen surrounded by a harem of scantily clad young women has been sentenced to more than 8,500 years in prison for sexual abuse and attempted espionage.

The former Muslim televangelist is known for preaching creationism and conservative values, while surrounding himself with women he called “kittens”.

Adnan Oktar, 66, was sentenced by an Istanbul court yesterday to 8,658 years, after a previous sentence of 1,075 years was overturned by an appeals court. He was found guilty of charges including sexual assault, abuse of minors, fraud and attempted political and military espionage.

Oktar pleaded not guilty. However, he described the ruling as “God’s will”. Several women, who testified behind closed doors, accused Oktar of rape and repeated sexual abuse.

One woman said he had forced her to take contraceptive pills after she was raped. Almost 70,000 such pills were found at his residence, which he said were used to treat skin diseases and menstrual irregularities.

Prosecutors also alleged Oktar had ties to a group led by Us-based preacher Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish government’s arch-rival whom authorities blamed for a failed coup in 2016.

Prosecutors argued that Oktar and his movement were gathering intelligence on Ankara’s Syria policies as well as a joint Turkish-russian project for a nuclear power plant.