A case regarding a hotel that collapsed in Adiyaman in the devastating earthquake in February 2023 saw its third hearing Wednesday (June 12). A group of defendants including the hotel’s owner are accused of illegal construction that led to the hotel’s collapse during the disaster. 72 individuals staying in the hotel, including a large group of students from Northern Cyprus, were killed in the collapse.
Northern Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel travelled to Adiyaman to watch the proceedings, and was joined by a large group of family members and relatives belonging to the deceased.
In a statement, the Prime Minister offered his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and affirmed his faith in the Turkish justice system:
“We are searching for justice in Adiyaman. As our grief continues, we will be following developments in order to ensure that those who constructed this hotel receive their necessary punishments. We trust Turkey’s courts and believe they will deliver justice. This is why we have come to Adiyaman.”
The Isias Hotel collapsed on February 6, 2023 when a devastating earthquake hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria. The building’s owners are accused of adding stories to the building without a license which allegedly caused or contributed to its collapse.
At the time of its collapse, the hotel was hosting a large group of Northern Cypriot student athletes, teachers, and trainers who had travelled to Turkey to compete in a tournament.
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The İsias trial has received significant attention in Turkey and the large number of children killed in the collapse has gained the hotel notoriety.
The hotel, originally constructed in 1991, was owned by Ahmet Bozkurt. Bozkurt, along with Efe Bozkurt, Erdem Yıldız, Halil Bağcı, and Mehmet Fatih Bozkurt are defendants in the trial. Efe Bozkurt was recently released from prison with a travel ban, while the four other defendants are being held in detention for the duration of the trial.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
