Former Deputy Mayor Claims No Technical Responsibility in Grand Isias Hotel Trial

Stating that his primary profession was history teaching, Bulut told the court, “It’s not possible for me to understand technical matters. I signed off on documents that appeared complete. I signed them in a procedural manner as ‘seen’.”

When questioned by the judge about the building initially being licensed as a residence and later as a hotel, Bulut replied, “The relevant documents were submitted by the staff. We received input from a responsible technical officer and a civil engineer, and that was sufficient for us.”

“It’s Not My Job to Know Technical Terms”

Bulut noted that while a report from Karadeniz Technical University found him at fault, another from Gazi University did not. He reiterated his lack of technical knowledge and denied that such matters fell within his job description. “I cannot be expected to understand technical discussions; it’s not part of my duty or expertise,” he said.

He also expressed reluctance to attend further hearings, asserting, “A deputy mayor signs documents under the mayor’s authority, but these signatures are merely procedural.”

Choice of Report Author Questioned, No Answer Given

When asked by lawyers why a report was obtained from Halil Bağcı despite the presence of static engineers Mehmet Göncüoğlu and Erden Yıldız on the project, Bulut did not respond directly. “We requested a static report at the request of the technical staff in the zoning office,” he said.

The trial continues, with attention now turning to the roles of public officials in the chain of approvals that preceded the fatal collapse.

Source: Haber Kıbrıs