An Istanbul court released the suspect who caused public uproar by kicking a woman in the face on a public bus last month.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's office in Istanbul's Asian side previously charged suspect Abdullah Çakıroğlu in its indictment over the offenses of preventing freedom of faith, thought and expression, provoking hostility among the public, willful injury and insult, and demanded the court sentences the man with up to nine years and four months in prison, with a minimum two years and seven months term sought.

However Çakıroğlu was released in the first hearing.

The victim, 23-year-old nurse Ayşegül Terzi, was kicked in the face by Çakıroğlu on a crowded bus because she was wearing shorts. Terzi was briefly unconscious after the kick, and luckily suffered only minor injuries. Çakıroğlu was allowed to go by the bus driver and passengers, only to be taken into custody after the incident, which was exposed following footage covered by security cameras on the bus was revealed by the press and caused public uproar.

The suspect was first released from custody on injury charges, however, was detained again the next day over his statements defending his assault, which were considered within the scope of provoking hostility among the public.

Çakıroğlu's brother told the media that the assailant has mental problems.