The director of Disney’s Bahamas private island, Castaway Cay, has been charged with sexual assault offenses. Gursel Sahibas, 65, is allegedly facing charges of rape and indecent assault.
A 29-year-old female reported the attack when she returned to Florida, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force later arrested Sahibas.
According to his attorney, Sahibas has been dismissed by Disney due to the allegations.
Gursel Sahibas granted bail
He is “no longer employed at Disney Cruise Line,” attorney Tamika Roberts said at a bail hearing this week. British national Sahibas was charged in early October and granted $ 15,000 cash bail this week.
His work permit has been canceled, so he plans to return to the UK. He is required to fly back to the Bahamas for the next scheduled court hearing in January 2026.
According to the Daily Mail, the victim met Sahibas on the island and persuaded her to go swimming. She says she was groped and then assaulted despite repeated pleas for Sahibas to stop. The incident took place on September 22.
The company has so far declined to comment.
Sahibas was recently profiled in local media for coaching students on local farming techniques as part of Disney’s VoluntEARS community program. This was cited by his attorney in his bail application.
“We were amazed to see the students’ enthusiasm and knowledge about their crops. It was inspiring to see their eagerness to learn and make an impact in the world around them,” Sahinbas said in the story published by The Nassau Guardian earlier this year.
Disney acquired Castaway Cay in the 1990s on a 99-year land lease from the Bahamian government.
Previously known as Gorda Cay, the private island offers beaches, lagoons, water slides, an adults-only zone, water sports, and walking trails.
