Karakaya: 'Our Fight Will Continue Until the Guilty Receive the Harshest Punishment'

Speaking at a commemoration event held at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center, Ruşen Karakaya, who also serves as the president of the Şampiyon Melekleri Yaşatma Derneği, expressed the unending pain of the families.

“For us, time stopped on that morning. Our children, teachers, and friends were taken from us. We buried them with their dreams and hopes, but their light has not faded and never will,” she said.

Recalling that the İsias Hotel collapsed in just 16 seconds, Karakaya declared, “The Şampiyon Melekler did not die in an earthquake; they were victims of negligence and greed. Those who inspected that building and those who turned a blind eye have blood on their hands. We will never allow this injustice to go unpunished.”

Emphasizing their relentless pursuit of justice, she stated, “This was murder. Our struggle will continue until the guilty receive the harshest punishment. We are not here only to grieve; we are here to keep the promise we made to our children. Our fight for justice will last until our last breath.”

Karakaya concluded by stressing that their battle is not just for their own loss, but to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain. “The stronger we stand, the closer we get to justice. We will not forget, we will not forgive, and we will keep fighting,” she said.