University student Zeren Ertaş died in an elevator accident; court acquits public officials

The verdict has been announced in the trial of public officials regarding the death of university student Zeren Ertaş, who was staying at the Aydın Güzelhisar Girls' Dormitory and lost her life in an elevator accident at the facility on October 26, 2023.

Zeren Ertaş's mother, Serpil Ertaş, her father, Akın Ertaş, and the family lawyer, Hakan Arslan, attended the hearing held at the Aydın 2nd High Criminal Court. The non-detained defendants, former Provincial Director of Youth and Sports C.F. and institution employees M.B., A.K., M.Y., and E.Ç., were not present at the hearing.

PROSECUTOR REQUESTED SENTENCING AND ARREST FOR "CAUSING DEATH BY NEGLIGENCE"

Before the verdict at the hearing, the Public Prosecutor requested that the defendants be sentenced and arrested for the crime of "causing death by negligence."

Following a recess, the Aydın 2nd High Criminal Court panel announced its decision.

The court panel ruled for the acquittal of the non-detained defendants, former Provincial Director of Youth and Sports C.F. and institution employees M.B., A.K., M.Y., and E.Ç.

MOTHER SERPİL ERTAŞ COLLAPSED

The court's decision was met with reaction from the family and Zeren's friends. Mother Serpil Ertaş collapsed after the verdict.

Expressing her reaction in tears in front of the courthouse, mother Serpil Ertaş said, "The state took my daughter's life. How can they not find anyone guilty! They found the dormitory manager innocent. Who is guilty, is Zeren guilty? Did Zeren commit a crime by wanting to go to university and be a beneficial child to this country? Did I raise her for 19 years for nothing? Is justice only necessary for us? What will I tell my child? Tell me. Every day I go to her and say, 'Zeren, it won't be long now.' What will I say now? She is waiting for me in Istanbul, tell me what I will say, what will I tell my son? Should I say, 'Were the people who killed your sister found innocent?'"