Ankara [Turkey], January 4: The first major trial in connection with the devastating earthquakes that rocked Turkey last February began on Wednesday in the south-eastern city of Adiyaman.
A hotel owner and 10 other defendants are on trial for the collapse of the four-star Grand Isias Hotel and the deaths of 72 people. Experts contend the building had major construction defects.
Among the victims were 26 children from Northern Cyprus who had travelled to Turkey for a school volleyball tournament.
Parents of the victims journeyed to Adiyaman for the trial. They tearfully held up signs with pictures of their dead children in front of the court.
"Everyone who built the Grand Isias Hotel is guilty," said Rusen Karakaya, who lost her 14-year-old daughter. She said she will not rest until those responsible, from the builder to those who issued the permits, are held accountable.
Public prosecutors accuses the defendants of deliberately causing death by negligence. They face two decades behind bars if convicted.
Five of them, including the hotel owner, are in custody.
They were not present at the first day of the trial, but were connected to the courtroom via video link.
A separate investigation is under way to determine whether the state authorities who issued the permits bear any responsibility.
On February 6, a 7.7-magnitude quake struck south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria in the morning, followed by 7.6-magnitude quake in the afternoon of the same day. According to government figures, around 50,800 people lost their lives in Turkey alone.
Source: Qatar Tribune
