Woman assaulted on crowded bus 'for wearing shorts during Ramadan'

Victim alleges man told her she should be 'ashamed' of how she dressed

A woman has been struck in the face on an Istanbul bus after a man allegedly asked her if she was "ashamed" to be wearing shorts during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Footage has circulated online of university student Asena Melisa Saglem being slapped by the man as he walked past her.

She chased after him as he was leaving the bus, but he pushed her away and fled the scene.

Ms Saglam told the Hurriyet Daily News: "From the moment I sat down he was making these remarks: 'You dress like this during Ramadan? You should feel ashamed to be dressed like that.'"

She said the slap caused her jaw hit the window of the bus.

The man was later detained but released after reportedly claiming he was "provoked".

Following an outcry by women's rights groups, an order to re-arrest the man was given, although it was not immediately clear whether or not this happened.

Ms Saglem told the Turkish daily: "I do not want him to walk around freely because I cannot any more."

A man who allegedly kicked a woman in the face for wearing shorts in 2016 is currently standing trial in Turkey.

Abdullah Çakıroğlu is accused of verbally and physically assaulting a 23-year-old nurse on a public bus in Istanbul.

He reportedly told police he would be "less aroused" if she had worn trousers.