Release of sole arrested suspect in case of collapsed building where 105 died in earthquake

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In the case related to the collapsed Bilge Site A Block in Osmaniye, where 105 people lost their lives in the February 6 Maraş centered earthquakes, the only imprisoned defendant, contractor M.İ., was arrested on February 14 and released on July 3rd, 2023.

This is contrary to the ordinary course of events, said Ufuk Çakır, the Mersin MP of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in a statement and added that they believed he was released "in anticipation of a potential future lawsuit against the mayor."

The 10-story Bilge Site A Block, which had two additional floors added later, collapsed during the the earthquakes on February 6, 2023, resulting in the loss of 105 lives and injuring 6 individuals in the building.

Experts identified deficiencies in 22 areas

A team of experts consisting of university professors conducted examinations and identified the deficiencies in the construction of the building in 22 different areas, as part of the investigation initiated by the Osmaniye Public Prosecutor's Office.

Relatives of the 105 deceased individuals lodged a complaint with the prosecutor's office, targeting various parties involved in the construction process, including those responsible for building the structure, officials from the construction company overseeing inspections, public institution officers responsible for granting usage permits, and building permits, personnel from the Provincial Directorate of Urbanization and Municipality who were involved in supervision, and members of the Municipal Council who approved the multi-story building construction plans.

Charges brought against four people

The prosecutor prepared an indictment on June 18, charging 4 suspects with "causing death and injury by negligence." The indictment was accepted by the Osmaniye 1st Heavy Penal Court.

The subsequent release by the court was justified on grounds of "the duration of the detainment, the collection of evidence, and the sufficiency and proportionality of judicial control measures at this stage."

Ufuk Çakır's statement

Ufuk Çakır, the CHP deputy, made the following statement regarding the case today (August 21):

"The Bilge Site A Block collapsed during the earthquake due to deficiencies in the construction and permit procedures, resulting in the loss of 105 lives. The expert witness report obtained within the scope of the investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office indicated deficiencies in the construction and permit procedures in 22 aspects. The report attributed responsibility, and hence fault, to the individuals in charge of the static project approval for reinforced concrete, the authorities approving the concrete-related aspects of the structure, the engineering consultant responsible for the concrete aspects, and the building contractor."

"Despite the serious expert witness report attributing fault to the structural planners, the contractor, and the approval authorities, the sole imprisoned defendant in the case, the responsible party for the construction, M.İ., was released without even facing trial, as documented by the protocol of the Osmaniye 1st Heavy Penal Court dated July 3, 2023. We believe that this release, against the backdrop of the life-altering consequences of the death of 105 individuals and the serious expert report pinpointing fault, is contrary to the ordinary course of justice and was carried out with the possibility of future legal action against the mayor in mind." (AS/PE)