Adiyaman, Turkey. Turkish Cypriots on Tuesday criticised a decision by the first high criminal court in Adiyaman to free six former public officials who were on trial over the collapse of the city’s Isias hotel, which killed 72 people, including 35 Cypriots.
Reactions from Turkish Cypriot leadership
Reactions were led by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who said “the Adiyaman part of the process is complete, but the pursuit of justice is not,” referring to the victims’ families’ intention to appeal the ruling at higher courts in the cities of Gaziantep and Ankara.
“We will continue to walk this painful path together with the families. The Isias case is our common cause,” he said.
Ustel says case will be followed through appeals
‘Prime minister’ Unal Ustel, who travelled to Adiyaman for Monday’s hearing, said “the Isias case is not over for us, and it is still ongoing.”
“We will closely follow the next stage as well. We will monitor the process to the end to ensure that justice is served fully and completely. I once again clearly and unequivocally state that the families are not alone in their pursuit of justice, and we will not leave their side going forward,” he said.
He added, “while we lost our champion angels in Adiyaman, we did not abandon them in Adiyaman,” referring to the moniker given to the 24 children from the Famagusta Turk Maarif Koleji (TMK) school volleyball team who were killed when the hotel collapsed.
“Until justice is served, we will continue to stand by our families, monitor the legal processes, and follow this case,” he said.
Harmanci cites oversight concerns and pledges further action
Turkish Cypriot Nicosia mayor Mehmet Harmanci said that “with each hearing of the case, the families’ pain deepened.”
“The common expectation of the families and of our country is justice,” he said, criticising a “lack of oversight, favouritism, and turning a blind eye” in the hotel’s construction and maintenance, adding that “this was excused and people paid the price with their lives.”
“There will be appeals processes against this decision. We have made a promise to ensure that justice prevails, and we will do whatever is necessary,” he said.
What do you think the appeals process should focus on to address the families’ concerns about justice?