Minister Yılmaz Tunç announces: Number of detentions rises to 12

78 people lost their lives in the hotel fire tragedy that occurred in Bolu Kartalkaya. The judicial investigation initiated by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is ongoing.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made statements on TRT Haber regarding the fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya.

Stating that the work of the expert committee is continuing, Minister Tunç said, "It is said that the fire started in the kitchen. The definitive result will emerge after the expert report is completed. The judicial investigation is important here. We are continuing our efforts to ensure that the judicial investigation is carried out effectively and in all its aspects."

‘PRELIMINARY REPORT EXPECTED IN THE COMING DAYS’

Reporting that 6 public prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation, Minister Tunç said, "A 7-person expert committee has been formed. The experts are conducting their examinations. The cause of the fire will be determined by the report. The process regarding the start and spread of the fire will be revealed through a detailed examination. There is an expert committee specialized in their field. The committee has already made its initial examinations at the scene; the fire department report has not been issued yet. Statements are being taken from our injured citizens. A preliminary report will be issued in the coming days. Then, there will be work on the final report. Whoever is at fault, the necessary lawsuits will be filed," he assessed.

NUMBER OF DETENTIONS RISES TO 12

Following the detention of business owners Halit and Emine Ergün, Business Manager Emir Aras, Kartal Hotels General Manager Ahmet Demir, Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, and Acting Bolu Fire Department Chief Kenan Çoşkun, the number of detainees rose to 12 with the detention of Bolu Deputy Fire Chief İrfan Acar.

Minister Tunç said the following regarding the judicial process:

"There is a determination to carry this out effectively to the end, no matter who the judicial process reaches or where it leads. Without dragging the matter into any political debate... Because these are our lost lives. Those children wanted to take a snow holiday with their parents after receiving their report cards with great excitement. They lost their lives in such a tragedy. It is necessary to find those responsible for their deaths and hold them accountable before the judiciary.

‘ALL CAMERA FOOTAGE AND DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN SEIZED’

There are 12 detainees so far. The process is ongoing. In the next stage, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will take action based on the expert report. There is some evidence obtained so far. There is camera footage. All documents have been seized. This tragedy will continue to be investigated in all its details. Whoever has negligence or fault in this fire, regardless of their title, will be held accountable before the judiciary. Our judicial organization is determined in this regard. The investigation is continuing in all its aspects.

‘AK PARTY GROUP ALSO SUBMITTED A RESEARCH MOTION TO THE TBMM’

Touching upon the importance of implementing the necessary measures and regulations to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, Minister Tunç said, "The measures to be taken to prevent such a situation from happening again are important. This must not be repeated. The AK Party Group has submitted a research motion to the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey) on this matter. It will be discussed in the General Assembly in the coming days. Other parties will also support this. With a research commission, there will be work by the Parliament on the measures to be taken, the regulatory changes that need to be made, and whatever else is necessary," he said.

REGARDING THE NARİN INVESTIGATION

Minister Tunç noted the following regarding the Narin Güran case:

"The heinous murder of our child Narin deeply wounded us as a nation. She went missing on August 21, and a search was conducted for 19 days. Along with the searches, a judicial investigation was also opened. More than 260 statements were taken, and a lot of evidence was collected. In light of all this evidence and statements, there were detentions. There are 8 more people whose investigations are ongoing. The investigation lasted 2 months and was concluded in 2 months. In the end, the judiciary made its decision in light of this evidence. Today, a reasoned decision of nearly 950 pages was announced. We followed the process together. Especially while the investigation part was confidential, there were some provocations. There were political smears. But despite this, an effective investigation and trial process took place.

'ALL POSSIBILITIES OF TECHNOLOGY WERE USED'

The trial process is ongoing. There is an appellate and supreme court process. 3 people were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for intentional killing. The neighbor was also sentenced for concealing evidence. This decision is subject to appeal. The public will follow the process from now on. Like our child Narin, we have our daughter Rojin, and her process is also being followed. There is a sensitivity regarding the prevention of violence against women. We have also included these issues in our Judicial Reform Strategy Document. From now on, whatever needs to be done regarding the legal process will be done. Today, the decision given by the court of first instance was also shared. It was explained who was sentenced and for what reason. All possibilities of technology were used in the Narin investigation. The process will continue in the appellate stage from now on."

News Source: 12punto