First Verdict in Trials Related to February 6 Earthquakes: 18 Years of Imprisonment

The first verdict in the trials opened against those responsible for the buildings collapsed in the Kahramanmaraş-centered February 6 earthquakes was given in Şanlıurfa. The contractor of the building where 34 people died in Şanlıurfa was sentenced to 18 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison.

The verdict hearing was attended by the defense lawyers of the imprisoned defendant contractor Müslüm Demirer and the lawyers of the victim parties at the 9th Heavy Penal Court of Şanlıurfa.

During the trial, reports and records of the expert examination conducted at the wreckage of the building were read due to a change in the panel.

The lawyers of the victim parties requested the imposition of a judgment at the upper limit against the defendant.

The defense lawyers stated that their clients also suffered losses as they lost their son in the wreckage of the same building, rejecting the prosecution's opinion.

The prosecutor, in his opinion on the merits, noted that it was determined that the defendant did not fulfill his obligations according to the existing standards during the construction of the building and was found to be at fault.

LOSING HIS SON LED TO A REDUCTION IN SENTENCE

In the unanimous decision, the defendant was sentenced to 21 years and 9 months in prison for the crime of "causing the death and injury of more than one person through conscious negligence."

Considering that he also lost his own son in the same building, the defendant's sentence was reduced by 1/6, and he was sentenced to 18 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison.

The decision also reminded that 3 out of 4 persons responsible for the construction of the building had lost their lives before the earthquake.

This verdict holds the distinction of being the first verdict issued regarding those responsible for the buildings collapsed in the earthquakes.