Muslim preacher Adnan Oktar during his arrest on November 16, 2022. (Credit: Ordu Haber Ajansi/via Facebook)
An Istanbul court sentenced a Muslim televangelist to 8,658 years in prison on Wednesday following a retrial, local media reported.
Adnan Oktar led television programs where he was often depicted surrounded by women, whom he referred to as "kittens." He used his programs to preach creationism and conservative values.
Last year, the 66-year-old was sentenced to 1,075 years for crimes including sexual assault, sexual abuse of minors, fraud and attempted political and military espionage, but the ruling was overturned by an upper court.
During the retrial, Istanbul high criminal court sentenced Oktar to 8,658 years in prison on several charges including sexual abuse and depriving someone of their liberty, the Anadolu news agency reported.
The court also sentenced 10 other suspects, each to 8,658 years in prison, the agency said.
Oktar, whom critics view as a cult leader, gained notoriety for his programs on the online A9 television channel and was regularly denounced by Turkey's religious leaders.
In a major crackdown on his group, Oktar was taken into custody in Istanbul in 2018 as part of a probe by the city's police financial crimes unit.
Adnan Oktar led television programs where he was often depicted surrounded by women, whom he referred to as "kittens." He used his programs to preach creationism and conservative values. Last year, the 66-year-old was...