Arrest request for ministry personnel following Grand Kartal trial: 'Let no more lives be lost'

The court panel announced its verdict last Friday in the trial concerning the Grand Kartal Hotel fire disaster in Bolu, which claimed the lives of 78 people.

Eleven defendants, including the hotel owner Halit Ergül, were sentenced to 34 life terms each for the 34 children who lost their lives in the fire.

The 11 defendants were also sentenced to 24 years and 11 months in prison each for the 44 adults who perished in the fire.

Lawyer Yüksel Gültekin, who lost 8 relatives in the fire—including his children, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law—submitted a petition to the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requesting the arrest of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism officials for whom an investigation permit had been granted.

"THESE SENTENCES WILL LIKELY BE IMPOSED"

Speaking to reporters in front of the courthouse, lawyer Yüksel Gültekin announced that he had filed an application for the detention of 9 Ministry of Culture and Tourism personnel, whom the prosecutor's office identified as primarily at fault within the scope of the file.

Gültekin stated, "Following the verdict that brought some relief to our hearts, I will read to you the conclusion of the prosecutor's office in this investigation, as is known. In the final section, in the opinion section regarding fault, it says: 'The officials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, who issued and approved the hotel's operating license, were primarily influential in the incident under investigation due to their inadequacy in the inspection processes.' In other words, it says, 'They are primarily responsible.'"

Now, in the verdict delivered on Friday, very serious sentences were handed down regarding the individuals who were primarily responsible for this incident. 'Possible intent' was applied. Now, what does this likely mean? If the trial continues fairly, it means that these sentences will likely be imposed on the individuals who were at fault in this report as well. I am interpreting this from a legal perspective," he said.

"THEY MUST BE REMOVED FROM DUTY"

Stating that they have requested the arrest of 9 personnel from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Gültekin said, "The Ministry of Tourism initially did not grant permission for an investigation into any of its personnel, despite this fault report. Later, it granted permission for 3 of them. However, the 1st Chamber of the Council of State subsequently issued a decision granting permission for an investigation into 9 Ministry of Tourism employees.

In other words, it said, 'These individuals are at fault. I am granting permission for an investigation. Oh independent courts, you try them.' Of course, it is the prosecutor's office that will bring these individuals before the court. Now, our reaction is as follows: Look, the names mentioned in the decision are Neşe Çıldık, Şennur Aldemir Doğan, Bülent Çınar Çavuş, Elçin Şimşek Öncü, Levent Kırcan, Ramazan Alkan, Melda Aras, Şule Aktürk, Alkan, and Barış Başayvaz. Ultimately, investigation permission has been granted for all personnel except for the Deputy Minister of Tourism, who is currently serving in a high-level position at the Ministry of Tourism..

We demand that all personnel be immediately taken into custody and referred for arrest after their statements are taken personally by the prosecutor's office. Some of our colleagues have also applied to the Constitutional Court regarding the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism. We are continuing our preparations as well. Furthermore, considering the possibility of the suspects tampering with evidence, these suspects must first be removed from their duties. They continue to manage the Ministry of Tourism. Just as other public officials were arrested by our prosecutor's office, we demand that these suspect public officials be referred to the court for arrest and detained as soon as possible," he said.

"THEY WILL RECEIVE THE PUNISHMENT THEY DESERVE"

Expressing that the ministry officials will appear before the court as soon as possible, Lawyer Gültekin said, "I submitted my petition to the prosecutor. I asked the prosecutor, 'Sir, what are your thoughts?' He told me exactly this: 'The investigation will continue in a way that will soothe consciences and establish justice, and a decision will be made.' This statement by the prosecutor put my mind at ease. I have no doubt that in the shortest time possible, we will see these individuals first removed from their positions, and ultimately, just as the defendants on Friday appeared before a fair and independent court and received the punishment they deserved, they will also face the court and receive the punishment they deserve, as the report very clearly states they are 'responsible.' We will follow this up. Look, I am saying it again. We have submitted the petition. We will follow up on this. If they continue to sit in those seats, the public will see us standing at the door of the Ministry of Tourism and launching a serious protest. But I am very relieved today by the prosecutor's word, without the need for that," he said.

"OUR CHILDREN ARE GONE, LET NO MORE CHILDREN BE LOST"

Gültekin stated, "We want only one thing. Our children are gone; let no more children be lost. May this serve as a catalyst for social purification. Let everyone know from now on that in this country, people will be held accountable for their actions, and the state will grab the collars of those who commit crimes, ensuring they receive the necessary punishment. No one will be able to escape the consequences of these actions."