The 20th hearing of the Çorlu Train Disaster case, which occurred on July 8, 2018, in Çorlu, Tekirdağ, and resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including 7 children, and left more than 300 injured, was held today at the Çorlu Public Education Center, which was converted into a courtroom by the Çorlu 1st High Criminal Court.
In the case that has been ongoing for 6 years, 4 defendants were acquitted, while defendants Mümin Karasu was sentenced to 17 years and 6 months, Turgut Kurt to 16 years and 3 months, and Nihat Aslan to 15 years in prison.
Following the verdict, families, lawyers, and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made statements.
Özel pointed out that it is significant that such high prison sentences were given to public officials in a case for the first time.
"AN IMPORTANT STEP BUT NOT ENOUGH"
Özel spoke as follows:
"We see that they have taken a step back as a result of the great solidarity shown by the public. The court panel has taken a small step for themselves, but a big step for the sake of law and the importance of legal struggles in Turkey. It is an important step for regional-level managers to receive sentences, but it is not enough. It is our duty to carefully follow the appellate stages. We will not allow the gains made here to be taken back at higher levels.
'POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN'
It is important to follow this until the last moment without forgetting the anger of the first day. The general managers of the State Railways and all those responsible must be put on trial, and political responsibility must never be forgotten. We cannot say that 'full justice' has been served for Çorlu until the days come when those who gave unlawful orders to start services quickly before the election are held accountable, but Çorlu has been a source of hope for us all. This result is the success of those who resisted."
News Source: 12punto
