9 workers had lost their lives: Decision regarding those who approved the EIA report in the İliç disaster
In the investigation launched into the disaster at the gold mine site in the İliç district of Erzincan on February 13, where 9 workers lost their lives after being buried under soil, a decision has been reached regarding the public officials who approved and signed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
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A new development has occurred in the investigation into the disaster that took place on February 13 at the mine site operated by Anagold Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. in the İliç district of Erzincan, where 9 workers lost their lives.
Decision of non-prosecution for those who approved the EIA report
In the decision issued by the İliç Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was recalled that an investigation had been launched by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of "causing death and injury by negligence" and "negligent pollution of the environment" regarding the landslide on February 13 in which 9 workers were buried under soil and lost their lives.
The decision stated that during the course of the investigation, numerous criminal complaints were filed against public officials through petitions submitted to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on various dates, alleging that they "did not take sufficient measures and permitted the company to operate," and noted that comprehensive investigations were conducted by the public prosecutors assigned immediately after the incident.
Recalling the section of the expert report submitted to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on November 22 concerning the EIA, the decision included the following statements:
"In the expert report submitted to our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on November 22, 2024, it was summarized that 'Since it was concluded that there is no responsibility for the occurrence of the work accident, the resulting deaths, injuries, and environmental pollution, it is the opinion and conviction that the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change officials who approved and/or signed the EIA report are without fault.'"
The prosecutor's office issued a "decision of non-prosecution" regarding the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change officials who approved or signed the EIA report, on the grounds that the elements of the crimes attributed to them had not been established.
In the landslide that occurred on February 13 at the gold mine site in the İliç district of Erzincan, 9 workers were buried under soil, and their bodies were recovered on different dates as a result of the ongoing efforts.