What will be the verdict in the 'Özlem Bayraktar Apartment' case? 29 people lost their lives in the earthquake

In the hearing held today (January 16), the trial of 7 defendants, 1 of whom is in custody, continued in Kahramanmaraş regarding the deaths of 29 people in the Özlem Bayraktar Apartment, which collapsed in the earthquakes on February 6, 2023.

The detained defendant Kadir Atmaca, defendants not in custody H.D., H.Ç., and M.N.A., as well as the lawyers for the parties and the complainants, were present at the hearing at the 4th High Criminal Court. The defendant not in custody, N.B., participated from the province where they are located via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). The other defendants were not present at the hearing.

Detained defendant Kadir Atmaca objected to the expert report and requested his release under judicial control.

Defendant Atmaca claimed that although he was found to be primarily at fault in the expert report prepared about him, the report was technically and legally deficient.

Atmaca made his defense with the following words:

'The evaluations in the expert report are insufficient and lack grounds. Building inspection firms are obliged to check the compliance of projects with regulations. Pursuant to Article 22 of the Zoning Law No. 3194, all inspections must be carried out before a license is granted. The static project was prepared by an engineer and licensed by the municipality with the approval of the building inspection firm. If there is a defect originating from the static project, this responsibility belongs to the project author, the building inspection firm, and the municipality.'

REQUESTED RELEASE CITING HIS ILLNESSES

Expressing his health problems, Atmaca requested his release on the grounds that he has 'various illnesses' and 'uses medication'.

Atmaca said, 'I have various illnesses and I use daily medication. Being in prison under these conditions is challenging for me. I request my release under judicial control.'

The defendant not in custody, N.B., also argued that the signatures on the projects and documents did not belong to them.

The other defendants reiterated their previous statements and requested their release.

The complainants also stated that they were filing a complaint against the defendants and demanded their punishment.

In its interim decision, the court panel decided to refer the file to a new expert committee and to continue the current status of the defendants, adjourning the hearing to May 16.

In the indictment prepared by the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a prison sentence of up to 22 years and 6 months is requested for each of the defendants for the crime of "causing the death and injury of more than one person by conscious negligence."

News Source: AA