Former Regent Square Restaurateur Has Sex Charges Dropped

PITTSBURGH, PA — After nearly three years and two trials, a former Regent Square restaurateur accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her South Side residence has had charges against him dropped.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday withdrew charges against Adnan Pehlivan. The alleged victim in the case agreed to the move.

“The Commonwealth is electing to withdraw the charges at this time for the sole purpose of what is in the best interest of the sexual assault victim(s) in this matter,” court documents stated. “The victim(s) consent to the withdraw of charges.”

In trials in 2019 and 2021, juries were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. During the first trial, Pehlivan 51, was found not guilty of stalking and simple assault. During last year's proceeding, Pehlivan was tried on charges of burglary, sexual assault and involuntary deviate sexual assault.

Pehlivan was accused of following the alleged victim and her friends after meeting them at Kopy's Bar in the South Side. He allegedly entered the victim's residence through a basement
apartment window and sexually assaulted her.

Prosecutors alleged during the initial trial that surveillance footage showed Pehlivan stalking the women in his car as they walked on East Carson Street.

The defense argued the alleged victim secretly told Pehlivan when she met him at Kopy's
that she was interested in an encounter with him, and told him to follow her home so her friends wouldn't know.

Pehlivian owned the former Istanbul Sofra on South Braddock Avenue at the time of his arrest but has since sold the restaurant, now known as Bosphorus Mediterranean Cuisine.

He also purchased the former Ryan's Pub next door and was planning to reopen it as Hilton's Lounge; those plans never materialized and the space eventually became part of the local Dive Bar
chain.

Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.