Before the trial, Murat Aktuğralı, speaking on behalf of the families of the school children from North Cyprus who tragically died in the earthquake, referred to as the “Champion Angels,” shared his thoughts with ANKA News Agency.
Aktuğralı expressed his deep sorrow, having lost his 13-year-old son Aras. He lamented that they could only bring their children’s remains back home in coffins after sending them to Adıyaman for just five days. Out of their group of 39, only 4 managed to survive.
He also mentioned their demands for justice. They wanted the court to reconsider the decision to release two defendants, Efe Bozkurt and Halil Bağcı, who were previously released based on a report from Gazi University. Aktuğralı criticised the university’s report, claiming it ignored other technical reports indicating structural issues in the building. Their hope was for the court to consider these reports and request a new technical assessment.
Additionally, Aktuğralı emphasised the need to include state officials in the investigation. He pointed out that previous indictments had mentioned state officials, and they believed these individuals should also be held accountable.
In conclusion, Aktuğralı stressed that their primary expectation from the Turkish Republic was simple: justice. He hoped that the court and the Turkish judicial system would make fair and lawful decisions.
The indictment prepared by the Adıyaman Public Prosecutor’s Office seeks imprisonment ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 22 years and 6 months for 3 of the 11 defendants, 3 of whom are currently in custody, on charges related to causing multiple deaths and injuries due to gross negligence.
