Governor's Office denies investigation permit in Nilüfer Apartment case: 56 people had lost their lives
The Hatay Governor's Office has denied permission to investigate 9 public officials in the case of the Nilüfer Apartment, where 56 people lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes. Lawyers will appeal the decision.
12punto
56 people lost their lives in the Nilüfer Apartment, which collapsed in the Odabaşı neighborhood of Hatay's Antakya district during the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. The Hatay Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested an investigation permit from the Ministry of Interior for the former mayor and other public officials regarding the collapse of the Nilüfer Apartment, which became a grave for 56 people. On April 15, 2024, the Ministry decided to initiate proceedings against individuals who had negligence and responsibility regarding the Nilüfer Apartment.
On August 11, 2024, Ministry of Interior inspectors prepared a preliminary investigation report concerning former Odabaşı Town Mayor Hasan Tümer, former Odabaşı Town Deputy Mayor Atıf Yeşil, former Odabaşı Town Municipality Zoning and Urbanization Manager Nursel Aydın, former Odabaşı Town Municipality Technical Affairs Manager Kemal Kadıoğlu, former Antakya Municipality Acting Zoning and Urbanization Manager Nuriye Elçin Eryetli, Construction Technician Arif Murat Elçi, Civil Engineer Mehmet Bük, Health Officer Ekrem Karabacak, and Mechanical Engineer İbrahim Burak Keser.
INVESTIGATION PERMIT DENIED
The preliminary investigation report prepared by the inspectors was sent to the Hatay Governor's Office Provincial Administrative Board Directorate. In the decision dated August 29, 2024, signed by Hatay Deputy Governor Bekir Sıtkı Dağ, an investigation permit was not granted for the 9 public officials. The decision has just been notified to the families. The decision, obtained by ANKA, included the following statements:
"Regarding former Odabaşı Town Municipality Zoning and Urbanization Manager Nursel Aydın, who is listed as the preparer on the renewal building permit dated 28.02.2014 and numbered 2012-61, the 20 percent progress payment report dated 31.12.2012, the 50 percent progress payment report dated 09.09.2013, and the 50 percent transfer determination report dated 24.02.2014; regarding former Odabaşı Town Municipality Technical Affairs Manager Kemal Kadıoğlu, who jointly approved the architectural and static projects of the Nilüfer Apartment and is listed as the preparer on the renewal building permit dated 03.12.2012 and numbered 2012-61, the renewal building permit dated 28.02.2014 and numbered 2012-61, the 20 percent progress payment report dated 31.12.2012, the 50 percent progress payment report dated 09.09.2013, the 50 percent transfer determination report dated 24.02.2014, and the work completion report dated 28.03.2014; regarding former Odabaşı Town Municipality Deputy Mayor Atıf Yeşil, who is listed as the approver on the work completion report dated 28.03.2014; regarding former Odabaşı Town Mayor Hasan Tümer, who jointly approved the architectural and static projects of the Nilüfer Apartment and is listed as the approver on the renewal building permit dated 03.12.2012 and numbered 2012-61, the renewal building permit dated 28.02.2014 and numbered 2012-61, the 20 percent progress payment report dated 31.12.2012, the 50 percent progress payment report dated 09.09.2013, and the work completion report dated 28.03.2014; regarding health officer Ekrem Karabacak and civil engineer Mehmet Bük, who inspected the building site for the occupancy permit dated 01.06.15 and numbered 280, construction technician Arif Murat Elçi, who inspected the document, and former Antakya Municipality Acting Zoning and Urbanization Manager Nuriye Elçin Eryetli, who is listed as the approver of the document; and regarding mechanical engineer İbrahim Burak Keser, who is listed as having inspected the building site for the occupancy permit dated 01.06.2015 and numbered 280, but who is understood to have passed away in the earthquake that occurred on 06.02.2023 according to the undated letter E-81066 from the Antakya Municipality, I have decided 'Not to Grant an Investigation Permit' in accordance with Article 6 of the Law No. 4483 on the Prosecution of Civil Servants and Other Public Officials, with the right to appeal to the Adana Regional Administrative Court within 10 days from the date of notification."
Naim Eminoğlu, one of the lawyers for those who lost their lives in the Nilüfer Apartment, announced that they would appeal the Hatay Governor's Office's decision.