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[CRIME] · Türkiye · 19 sources

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Turkey earthquake collapse trials: Sentences issued and releases contested

Legal proceedings regarding buildings collapsed during the February 6 earthquakes in Turkey have reached significant milestones. In the Ezgi Apartment case, which resulted in 35 deaths in Kahramanmaraş, the court sentenced pastry shop owners Sami Kervancıoğlu and Mustafa Pekel to 8 years in prison for conscious negligence. Despite the sentence, both defendants were released under judicial control measures, a decision that has drawn intense criticism from victims' families and legal associations. The prosecution has appealed this release, arguing the decision is contrary to law and that the actions should be classified as 'possible intent' rather than negligence.

In a separate case involving the Serin-2 Apartment in Diyarbakır, which saw 77 deaths, expert reports have identified serious structural failures. These include inadequate concrete quality and the cutting of a structural column, which significantly reduced earthquake resistance.

Additionally, in the Kırçuval Otel case in Malatya, where 21 people died, the prosecutor has requested the arrest of 11 defendants, citing failures in construction and oversight. The prosecution argues that the hotel owners and public officials failed to fulfill their duty of care, particularly following the 2020 Elazığ earthquake.

Entities

Ankara University · Diyarbakır 7. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi · Ezgi Apartmanı · Kahramanmaraş 4. Ağır Ceza Mahkemesi · Middle East Technical University · Mustafa Pekel · Sami Kervancıoğlu · Serin-2 Apartmanı

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