Turkish Prosecutors Drop Case Against Actress and Father

A legal dispute between 17-year-old actress Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi and her father, Ünal Çiftçi, has concluded with prosecutors dismissing charges. The father had filed complaints alleging his daughter worked on projects without parental approval and was involved in a romantic relationship with an older actor, Hakan Çelebi.

In her statement to prosecutors, Ülkü Hilal Çiftçi, who has been acting for about 12 years, asserted that production companies always secure parental consent for her projects. She stated that all necessary permits and documentation are in place. The young actress believes her father's accusations stem from the ongoing divorce proceedings between her parents. She denied experiencing mistreatment or bullying on set and confirmed that her roles have not contained any inappropriate content.

Çiftçi also refuted her father's claim of a romantic relationship with Hakan Çelebi, describing him as a close friend whom her father also knows. The Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reviewed the evidence and statements from both parties. They concluded that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.

The office noted that allegations regarding her employment without parental consent are matters for labor law, not criminal investigation. Consequently, no criminal elements were found to warrant further action. The prosecutor's office also considered a defamation complaint filed by Çiftçi's management company against her father. They determined that the complaint did not meet the criteria for defamation, as it did not sufficiently demonstrate that the father knowingly made false accusations to instigate an investigation or prosecution. The ruling acknowledged the constitutional right to file complaints and stated that initiating an investigation solely based on the exercise of this right would contradict fundamental legal principles.