Adiyaman, Turkey. Calls grew on Wednesday for the Isias hotel collapse case to be taken to the European Court of Human Rights after a court in Adiyaman freed six former public officials on trial for their role in the incident. The collapse killed 72 people, including 35 Cypriots.
Calls for consolidated proceedings
Opposition Turkish Cypriot political party CTP ‘MP’ Sifa Colakoglu told Kibris Postasi TV that, when appeals are lodged, the trials of the six former public officials and six others should be consolidated into a single trial. The six others include the hotel’s owner Ahmet Bozkurt and architect Erdem Yilmaz, who were found guilty in 2024.
Colakoglu said having all defendants stand trial at the same time could reveal relationships between public officials and technical supervisors and increase the likelihood that charges against the owner, his family, and contractors could be upgraded.
Dispute over charges
In 2024, six defendants were found guilty of causing death by conscious negligence, while families believe all 12 should be convicted of causing death by probable intent.
Colakoglu said she could not understand why the relationship she described was not investigated, adding that Cypriots at the Adiyaman court had requested consolidation but the request was denied.
Potential ECtHR application
Colakoglu said she expected decisions that would ensure public officials sign such documents more consciously in the future, adding that 72 lives were lost in a single building due to a single signature and that there are thousands of such buildings.
She said the case could be taken to the ECtHR if necessary, and that families would pursue that course if it is determined the trial was not conducted fairly. She added that the cases would be followed to the end and said the suffering of families had not ended, calling on every Turkish Cypriot to follow the case.
Will you follow the progress of the Isias hotel collapse case as it continues through appeals and possible international proceedings?
