Prosecutor delivers verdict in Hayat Sitesi case: Conscious negligence sentence requested for defendants

One of the most critical stages has been reached in the judicial process regarding the Hayat Sitesi, which collapsed during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes, leading to a major tragedy. The prosecution presented its final opinion on the merits during the 10th hearing of the case held at the Malatya 1st High Criminal Court.

The building, located in the Özalper neighborhood of Malatya's Yeşilyurt district, was leveled in the earthquake, becoming a grave for 16 citizens and causing injuries to 2 others. As a result of the investigations, the prosecutor has set the sentencing threshold in the case opened against a group of five defendants, consisting of engineers, architects, and municipal officials in approval positions.

DEFENDANTS REQUESTED TO BE SENTENCED FOR CONSCIOUS NEGLIGENCE

In the hearing, the public prosecutor requested that civil engineer and technical supervisor Mustafa Hakan Büker, technical supervisor architect Metin Karataş, civil engineer Hurşit Kuşçu, who handled the visa procedures, and municipal officials Ahmet Özer and Mustafa Bingöl be sentenced separately for the crime of "causing the death and injury of more than one person through conscious negligence."

According to new information added to the case file, the court was informed that a decision of "non-prosecution" had been issued in the investigation conducted against Suat Sarın, the owner of the business on the ground floor of the building. The request by the lawyers of the parties for time to prepare their defense against the presented opinion was accepted by the court. The hearing was adjourned to July 7, 2026, to receive final defenses before the verdict.