Trial of Public Officials Responsible for İsias Hotel Collapse to Begin on April 24

The trial, set to take place at Adıyaman 1st High Criminal Court, will see six public officials stand accused of issuing construction permits and failing to enforce necessary regulations. The defendants include Osman Bulut, then Deputy Mayor responsible for Project Inspections at Adıyaman Municipality's Building Control Unit; Bilal Balcı, Permit Office Chief; Mehmet Salih Alkayış, Planning and Zoning Director; Abdurrahman Karaaslan, a permanent municipal worker; as well as Yusuf Gül, Planning Director in 1993 when the initial permit was granted, and Fazlı Karakuş, a permit technician.

The Adıyaman Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had filed charges in February, accusing the defendants of "conscious negligence causing multiple deaths and injuries." The indictment asserts that sufficient evidence exists to prosecute and penalize the suspects separately under conscious negligence laws.

The Grand İsias Hotel collapsed following two major earthquakes that struck southeastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6. Among the victims were 35 Turkish Cypriot athletes, teachers, and family members from Gazimağusa Türk Maarif College, collectively known as the "Champion Angels," along with several tour guides.

The families of the deceased athletes, tour guides, and 10 injured survivors initiated legal proceedings on January 3, 2024, demanding that the defendants be charged under "reckless endangerment with intent" instead of negligence. The justice struggle lasted nearly a year.

In a previous ruling by the 3rd High Criminal Court on December 25, 2024, six defendants were found guilty of conscious negligence resulting in multiple deaths and injuries, while five others were acquitted. The convicted individuals received the following sentences:

• Ahmet Bozkurt: 17 years, 17 months, 7 days
• Mehmet Fatih Bozkurt: 15 years, 28 months, 28 days
• Erdem Yıldız: 17 years, 17 months, 7 days
• Halil Bağcı: 7 years, 16 months
• Hasan Aslan: 15 years, 16 months, 20 days
• Mehmet Göncüoğlu: 7 years, 16 months

Meanwhile, Bilge Açık, Efe Bozkurt, Seda Zeren, Şule Özbek, and Ulviye Bozkurt were acquitted.

The upcoming trial on April 24 marks the continuation of efforts to hold public officials accountable for the disaster, with victims' families determined to ensure that justice is served.