Bozkurt: "I Reject All Accusations... The Report is Biased!"

In his defense, Bozkurt stated:
"I was the landowner in 1993 and became the building owner in 1995. I am not a contractor, architect, or engineer—I am merely the property owner. Yet, the latest report portrays me as part of the technical team."

Bozkurt continued, "If I had known as a property owner, I would never have undertaken the responsibility of building this structure." He further emphasized his lack of criminal history, saying, "I am a law-abiding family man. These accusations are baseless and rely on a fabricated report. I am not an architect, contractor, or engineer, but all the blame is being placed on me and my family."

Explaining the construction process, Bozkurt noted, "Back in 1993, Adıyaman did not have today’s technological advancements. The sand used in construction came from the Göksu River, and aggregate was made from this sand." He dismissed claims regarding structural modifications, asserting, "Whatever was outlined in the 1993 project was followed. The municipality approved it, deemed it correct, and issued permits."

Bozkurt also addressed allegations regarding the building’s structural integrity, providing names of officials who granted construction permits. He clarified that a terrace addition was legal under urban amnesty regulations, stating, "The terrace was covered with lightweight materials; it is not an illegal floor."

Bozkurt argued that the earthquake itself should be a focal point of the discussion, describing it as a "catastrophe" and urging consideration of its unprecedented nature.

The defendant expressed personal grievances, sharing that his family narrowly avoided staying at the hotel on the night of the earthquake. "If it hadn’t been for the snow, we all would have been there that night," he remarked emotionally.

Bozkurt, who has been detained for 23 months, emphasized his health issues and reiterated his innocence:
"I built this property with the intention of doing the best I could. If profit were my priority, I wouldn’t have spent so much. The facility was supervised by the Ministry of Tourism, the municipality, the Ministry of Finance, and the Development Bank. I firmly reject the accusations and the expert report, which is clearly biased. We have no fault in this."