42 defendants face trial in İzmir electrocution tragedy

The trial process is beginning following the investigation into the deaths of Özge Ceren Deniz (23), who stepped into a puddle and was electrocuted while trying to cross the street during heavy rainfall in İzmir last July, and İnanç Öktemay (44), who lost his life while trying to save her.

The 42 defendants, who face charges of 'causing the death of more than one person by conscious negligence' and up to 22.5 years in prison according to the indictment prepared by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, will be tried at the 10th High Criminal Court. The defendants, including İZSU General Manager Gürkan Erdoğan, the institution's former general manager Ali Hıdır Köseoğlu, and Gdz Elektrik Distribution General Manager Uğur Yüksel, will appear before the judge regarding the accusations directed at them in the indictment.

'THERE ARE NO PERSONAL FAULTS THAT WOULD TRIGGER THE EVENT'

Expert reports included in the indictment stated that Gdz Elektrik and the İZSU General Directorate were primarily at fault for the accident, that there were no unforeseeable or unpreventable extraordinary natural events in the occurrence of the incident, and that the deceased had no dangerous actions or personal faults that would trigger the event.

The report, which noted the conclusion that the grates were unable to drain rainwater on the day of the incident and that routine maintenance and cleaning of the grates were not carried out as they should have been, stated that the excavation where the underground electrical cables were laid being only half as deep as it should have been was a direct factor and a gross negligence in the occurrence of the incident.

In his statement in the indictment, İZSU General Manager Erdoğan said that there are 7 thousand personnel within the institution and that services are provided to all 30 districts of İzmir, and that it is not acceptable for the general manager to personally intervene in every incident and for the general manager to be held responsible. Gdz Elektrik Distribution General Manager Uğur Yüksel stated that he was informed about the renovation and repair works after the investigation. Former İZSU General Manager Ali Hıdır Köseoğlu also argued that he acted with the officials in the institution during his tenure and that it is not possible for him to be held responsible for the mistakes made by each of these officials within the framework of their duties.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Within the scope of the investigation carried out regarding the incident, 48 suspects for whom detention warrants were initially issued were apprehended, 14 were arrested, and 1 person was released after an appeal.

Following the preparation of the expert report, it was decided that 8 of the 10 people detained, including İZSU General Manager Gürkan Erdoğan, the institution's former general manager Ali Hıdır Köseoğlu, and Gdz Elektrik Distribution General Manager Uğur Yüksel, would be released with a travel ban, and 2 would be placed under house arrest.

News Source: 12punto