Bankruptcy ruling for the owner of Reina

On New Year's Eve in 2017, an armed attack was carried out at the nightclub known as Reina in Ortaköy, Istanbul, at 01:15, resulting in 39 deaths and 79 injuries.

A bankruptcy lawsuit was filed against the employer by a plaintiff employee to collect debts owed by Antik Turizm Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret Anonim Şirketi, a company owned by Mehmet Koçarslan, who was the operator of the venue at the time. Lawyers for both parties were present at the hearing held recently at the Istanbul 2nd Commercial Court of First Instance.

REQUEST FOR RECUSAL OF JUDGE DENIED

During the hearing, lawyers for the defendant Mehmet Koçarslan requested the recusal of the judge. The court denied this request on the grounds that it was not made within the required timeframe and that it had been clearly stated that the proceedings were moving toward a verdict.

"THE DEFENDANT IS PAYING DEBTS IN GOOD FAITH"

Taking the floor during the ongoing hearing, the lawyer for the defendant Mehmet Koçarslan stated, "If our request for recusal is to be denied, we reiterate our previous statements; the defendant is paying his debts in good faith. He has made payments on the finalized file. There is no reason to require bankruptcy; we are ready to pay the file, and many of the reasoned decisions have not been served to us. One file is currently in the appellate court. Once the reasoned decisions are served, the necessary actions will be taken." The plaintiff's lawyer requested that a bankruptcy ruling be issued.

BANKRUPTCY RULING

Announcing its decision, the court accepted the plaintiff employee's lawsuit and ruled for the bankruptcy of Antik Turizm Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret Anonim Şirketi.