Ephesus Ancient City: Criminal complaint filed over heritage damage

The Aegean Environmental and Cultural Platform (EGEÇEP) has filed a criminal complaint with the Selçuk Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the construction of a Welcome Center at the Ephesus Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The complaint alleges that the project, located within a first-degree archaeological site, has caused damage to cultural assets and historical traces. EGEÇEP is seeking legal action against the managers and employees of Ak Ece Restorasyon Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi for violating the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets.

Additionally, the platform has requested the prosecution of officials from the Selçuk Museum Directorate and experts from the Izmir No. 1 Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Assets on charges of misconduct in office. The organization claims that the construction activities have caused irreversible destruction to the ancient site and its protected immovable cultural properties.