Newsroom
The trial surrounding the Grand Isias Hotel collapse continues to stir public outrage more than two years after the tragedy, which killed dozens, many of them students and teachers, during the Feb. 6, 2023, earthquake.
The court proceedings have drawn sharp criticism from victims’ families and advocacy groups, who accuse hotel owners, contractors, and public officials of negligence and demand full accountability. Rusen Yucesoylu Karakaya, president of the Champion Angels Association, delivered an impassioned speech outside the courthouse, declaring, “Isias was murder! Public officials are part of the crime!”
Karakaya condemned the release of defendant Hasan Aslan, free since Dec. 25, and called for the prosecution of officials who allegedly enabled the hotel’s unsafe construction through improper approvals and ignored warnings. “They were the future of this country,” she said of the victims. “This fight will continue until justice is served.”
Former Deputy Mayor Osman Bulut testified that although his signature appeared on project permits, he held no technical knowledge or responsibility. A history teacher by profession, Bulut said he signed off on documents “as seen” and claimed decisions were based on input from engineering staff. He also resisted further court appearances, calling his role symbolic.
The court has postponed the trial of public officials to July 16. Requests to detain the accused, merge the case with a related trial, or subpoena the former mayor were denied. A new expert report from Dokuz Eylul University has been commissioned to assess official culpability.
Turkish Bar Association President Hasan Esendagli confirmed that the defendants remain under judicial control. Speaking alongside him, Karakaya criticized the court for demanding repeated proof and warned of recurring impunity. “We will remain here and fight until a verdict of probable intent is issued for all those responsible,” she said.
With information from Cyprus Mirror.
