A striking detail in the Oba Makarna case: Is the file being closed with blood money?

According to Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, the indictment regarding the explosion that occurred on September 15, 2024, at the Oba Makarna factory in Hendek, Sakarya, which resulted in the deaths of five workers, contains striking details. The company's bosses blamed the deceased worker to evade responsibility.

MESUT ŞİMAY WAS BLAMED, BUT THE CRIMINAL REPORT CAME BACK CLEAN

The first to lose his life in the explosion was 27-year-old cleaning worker Mesut Şimay. Four more workers subsequently lost their lives. According to the indictment, the cause of the explosion was the ignition of flour dust by a spark from a short circuit.

Company owners Mehmet Musa Özgüçlü and his son Alparslan Özgüçlü claimed in their petition that Şimay caused the explosion. However, the criminal report did not find any chemical residue that could have started the fire.

BOSSES ESCAPED, MANAGER BLAMED

In their statements to the prosecutor's office, the bosses said they had delegated all authority to manager Volkan Uğur. However, no official record could be found indicating that Uğur was authorized regarding occupational health and safety. Despite this, the prosecutor's office did not see a need to open an investigation into the Özgüçlüs.

COMPLAINTS WITHDRAWN IN EXCHANGE FOR BLOOD MONEY

Four of the families of the five workers who lost their lives withdrew their complaints in exchange for "blood money."

THE ONLY DETAINEE IS THE MANAGER: HE SAYS "I ALSO TOOK ORDERS"

Only factory manager Volkan Uğur is under arrest within the scope of the case. He argues that the responsibility lies more with lower-level employees than with him. Thus, without anyone from the upper management being tried, only lower-level employees have been brought to trial.

The first hearing will be held on July 17.