Cyprus Turkish Bar Association President Attorney Hasan Esendağlı explains the latest developments in the Isias Hotel case to 12punto

Şenol ÇARIK/12punto.com.tr

The hearing for the case regarding the Isias Hotel, which collapsed in Adıyaman during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, began on January 3. An interim decision was made in the case. It was decided that the detention of the defendants would continue. The hearing was adjourned until April 26.

Cyprus Turkish Bar Association President Attorney Hasan Esendağlı, who followed the hearing for 4 days, shared the developments with 12punto.

"WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE INTERIM DECISION"

"We are still at the beginning of the case. As of now, since the current situation is being maintained and the detained defendants remain in custody, we can say that we have no complaints about this interim decision; we are satisfied. The trial will continue in this manner," said Esendağlı, adding, "Our expectation, as we have always said, is that the defendants whose responsibility is determined receive the serious, heavy sentences they deserve. We believe that justice will be served in this way."

72 PEOPLE HAD LOST THEIR LIVES

72 people, including students from the TRNC who had gone to Adıyaman for a volleyball tournament, lost their lives. 11 defendants, 5 of whom are in custody, appeared before the judge for the first time at the Adıyaman 3rd High Criminal Court, facing charges that could lead to prison sentences of up to 22 years and 6 months.

Cyprus Turkish Bar Association President Attorney Hasan Esendağlı, who followed the hearing, described what happened:

"The hearing, which was scheduled for 3 days on January 3-4-5, spilled over into the fourth day, Saturday, January 6, because the necessary procedures could not be completed despite lasting approximately 12 hours each day. It concluded with an interim decision read around 11:00 PM on Saturday night.

The initial proceedings of the case, the establishment of the parties, roll calls, defendant statements, complainant statements, statements by defense and plaintiff attorneys, the hearing of witnesses, and subsequently the re-taking of statements and the delivery of the prosecutor's opinion, followed by the interim decision, completed the process at this stage.

The prosecution gave a very brief opinion. It requested the maintenance of the current judicial position, specifically the continuation of the detention of the detained defendants and the continuation of the judicial control status for those under judicial control. It also stated its views regarding the requests to join the case.

'REQUESTS TO JOIN WERE ACCEPTED'

In the court's decision, although about 30 decisions were produced, most of these were routine procedural matters regarding the progress of the file. What is essentially important in the prosecutor's opinion is the continuation of the detention of the detained defendants, the continuation of the trial status with judicial control for those released under judicial control, and the decision to refer the file to an expert witness. It was decided to continue the trial via the SEGBİS system, and therefore not to bring the defendants there for a face-to-face trial. The requests of almost all complainants to join the case were accepted; especially those of first-degree relatives.

'WE ARE STILL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CASE'

We are still at the beginning of the case. As of now, since the current situation is being maintained and the detained defendants remain in custody, we can say that we have no complaints about this interim decision; we are satisfied. The trial will continue in this manner. Our expectation, as we have always said, is that the defendants whose responsibility is determined receive the serious, heavy sentences they deserve. We believe that justice will be served in this way."

News Source: 12punto