Those responsible for the deaths in the disaster of the century are being held accountable one by one.
The destruction and pain caused by the two earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023 are still felt.
A lawsuit was heard regarding the demolition of Hamidiye Site 1A and 1C blocks in Kahramanmaraş, where 146 people lost their lives and 5 people were injured.
The detained defendant Ahmet Kara, the contractor of the site and the then Kahramanmaraş Municipality Director of Technical Affairs, the unarrested defendants AK, T.Ö, CK, OY, CY, SS, and the complainants and party lawyers attended the hearing.
HE REQUESTED HIS RELEASE
Arrested defendant Ahmet Kara, who was asked for his last word in court, stated that his written and oral defenses in the previous 9 hearings were valid and claimed that the expert reports submitted to the file did not reflect the truth.
Arguing that the demolition of the building was not technically proven by any documents, Kara claimed that the prepared opinion was against the principles of impartiality and requested his release.
ALL REQUESTED ACQUITTAL
Other defendants also stated that they were innocent and requested acquittal.
The defendant’s lawyers stated that they did not accept the opinion on the merits.
“I DO NOT GIVE MY RIGHTS TO THE DEFENDANTS”
Neslihan Kurmacı, one of the complainants, stated that there was no serious damage to the surrounding buildings in the earthquake, “There were buildings to the right and left of our site, there was not even a scratch on them. Why was only our site demolished? So, there is a problem here. I do not forgive the defendants and I want them to be tried with possible intent.” he said.
Complainant Vildan Çiftçioğlu stated that she lost her family in the earthquake, “I became a mother and had a child. I could not share this joy with my mother and father. We had a very good life before the earthquake. Now I am left alone.” he said.
SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON
The complainant’s lawyers also demanded that the defendants be tried with “possible intent”.
The court sentenced the defendant Ahmet Kara to 21 years in prison for “causing the death and injury of more than one person through conscious negligence”.
UNARRESTED DEFENDANTS WERE ACQUITTED
The committee ruled to acquit the undetained defendants AK, CK, CY, OY, SS and T.Ö.
Public officials tried in the combined file are Ç.H, FY, FD, HMG, H.Ç, MD, MEE, V.Ç. and ZAŞ were also acquitted separately.
“OUR STRUGGLE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JUSTICE IS FOUND”
Feriha Cansu Aksoy, one of the complainant’s lawyers, told reporters after the hearing that the decision was disappointing for them.
Stating that the decision is not final, Aksoy said, “The lives lost were not lost in an earthquake, but as a result of a chain of negligence. In an incident in which 146 people lost their lives, this characterization disrupts the balance between the gravity of the act and its legal counterpart and creates a deep perception of injustice in the public conscience. We will continue our struggle until justice is served.” he said.
