Islamic televangelist and "sex cult" leader Adnan Oktar has been sentenced to 8,658 years in prison by the Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court on Wednesday, following a retrial on charges of directing a terrorist organization, sexual abuse, depriving someone of their liberty, blackmail, money laundering and espionage, according to Turkish media.
The court sentenced Adnan Oktar to 891 years for charges placed against him directly, but was also found responsible for crimes committed by his acolytes, wracking up his total sentence to 8,658 years.
10 other defendants who were part of the cult were also sentenced to 8,658 years in prison.
Oktar, who wrote books under the name Harun Yahya, was sentenced to 1075 years in jail last year, for charges aimed at his own actions, after being tried in Istanbul. 236 others were accused of being enablers or members of his organization, although the ruling was later overturned on appeal by an upper court.
Oktar was originally arrested in 2018, along with hundreds of his acolytes, as part of a probe by Istanbul's police financial crimes unit, which led to a police raid on his villa, revealing he ran a criminal ring under the disguise of an Islamic cult.
Adnan oktar a 891 yıl hapis cezası verilmiş Sizi 891 de durduran neydi merak ettim pic.twitter.com/jjdlDIMNJF
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judges had their final say on the fate of 215 defendants, including 72 currently in detention, crushing the hopes of Oktar, who was confident that the retrial would result in his release, according to his statements in earlier hearings, Turkish media said.
Speaking after the announcement of the decision, Oktar said, “We have full love for you. We have full confidence in our government. We are happy with the decision. God made the decision. We have good days in our lives. Islam will rule the world. Turkey will be a beautiful country. May the decision be beneficial,” according to Anadolu.
“We have full love for you. We have full confidence in our government. We are happy with the decision. God made the decision. We have good days in our lives. Islam will rule the world. Turkey will be a beautiful country. May the decision be beneficial,”
Adnan Oktar
He was the first one to be expelled from the hall as the trial was concluded. As Oktar was released, all the defendants and the audience stood up and applauded.
Internationally known talk show host
Oktar was internationally known for a talk show he hosted on his own A9 TV channel, which often featured a mix of religious discussion alongside scantily clad women.
The cult leader constantly surrounded himself with young women, which he called his “kittens,” who would declare their devotion to him and were the most prominent advocates of his movement.
One woman who had previously testified at Oktar's trial said that he had sexually assaulted her, as well as other women, and forced them to take contraceptive pills.
Around 69,000 contraceptive pills were found by police on his properties, which he claimed, while on trial, were used to treat skin disorders and menstrual problems, according to Middle East Eye.