Breaking News: Flash statement from Tanju Özcan regarding the fire investigation! 'Experts were removed from the case'

78 people lost their lives in the fire tragedy at the Grand Kartal Hotel located in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center. While 12 people were detained as part of the investigation launched into the disaster, a dispute over 'responsibility' has begun between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the CHP-run Bolu Municipality.

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan stated in a post on his social media account that the detention decisions made within the scope of the investigation were unlawful and arbitrary.

Expressing that the experts assigned to the investigation were removed from the case, Özcan called on the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, saying, "This is a legal murder. I submit this to the attention of all conscientious lawyers in Turkey."

Özcan's post is as follows:

"I SUBMIT THE DEVELOPMENTS TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL CONSCIENTIOUS LAWYERS IN TURKEY!!!

Due to the tragedy that occurred in Kartalkaya, our civil servant deputy mayor and civil servant fire chief were detained 2 days ago without any specific charges being stated. By law, an 'investigation permit decision' is mandatory for the detention of civil servants or for judicial investigations to be conducted against them. There is no investigation permit issued according to Law No. 4483.

As such, the investigation and detention decision are completely unlawful and arbitrary.

Although it is claimed that there is a confidentiality order for lawyers, the confidentiality order that should have been issued by the court has not been served. In other words, it is not even clear whether there is a confidentiality order regarding the investigation. 

As of last night, seven experts were requested to be removed from the case because they prepared a preliminary report that was not to their liking.

Arbitrary difficulties are being created regarding permission for lawyers to meet with the suspects.

This is a legal murder. I submit this to the attention of all conscientious lawyers in Turkey."

I SUBMIT THE DEVELOPMENTS TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL CONSCIENTIOUS LAWYERS IN TURKEY!!!

Due to the tragedy that occurred in Kartalkaya, our civil servant deputy mayor and civil servant fire chief were detained 2 days ago without any specific charges being stated. The detention of civil servants…

— Tanju ÖZCAN (@tanjuozcanchp) January 24, 2025

News Source: 12punto