Court sentences contractor to 17 years for building collapse that killed 96 in Turkey's Feb. 6 quakes

A Turkish court has sentenced contractor Ahmet Kara to 17.5 years in prison for causing the deaths of 96 people in a collapsed building during the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Victims' relatives were "content" with the verdict, and wished similar accountability from public officials.

Duvar English

A Turkish court on Dec. 12 sentenced contractor Ahmet Kara to 17.5 years in prison for "causing the death and injury of multiple people through conscious negligence" for his role in the construction of Güvenç Apartments in southeastern Turkey's Kahramanmaraş province, which collapsed and killed 96 during the Feb. 6 earthquakes.  

Kara, aged 62, appeared before the judge today in the final hearing. Lawyers for both sides and relatives of the deceased attended the hearing. Kara, currently imprisoned for another earthquake-related case, participated via video link from prison.

The prosecutor presented their argument, citing expert reports that found Kara primarily at fault. The prosecutor requested his punishment and emphasized considering the high number of casualties when determining the sentence.

In his final statement, Kara denied the accusations, claimed he was innocent, and requested acquittal. Relatives of the deceased agreed with the prosecutor’s request and demanded Kara be sentenced.

The court sentenced Kara to 17.5 years in prison for "causing the death and injury of multiple people through conscious negligence" and ordered his detention for this case as well.

Victims' families 'content'
According to the DHA news agency, relatives of the victims gathered in front of the courthouse after the verdict to make a statement.

Emine Biçici, who lost her mother and three siblings in the building, thanked the judge and prosecutor for the decision. She said the verdict restored their hope in justice and added:

"From now on, I hope municipalities and other state authorities will be more cautious, even with small actions like planting a tree. Unfortunately, the families have borne all the pain. We were the ones who burned. I hope everything will proceed in a more organized and systematic manner from now on."

"I hope this earthquake teaches us a lesson," she added. 

Biçici added that the victims' families still awaited the trial of public officials. "We hope it won’t take as long as this case. We trust in justice and our hope has grown," she said. 

"While no penalty can bring back the 96 lives we lost, at least we now have a story to share when we visit their graves,” she concluded. 

The 7.7 and 7.8-magnitude Feb. 6 earthquakes affected 11 provinces in southern and southeastern Turkey and caused 53,537 deaths, 107,213 injuries, and 38,901 destroyed buildings.

A district governorship in mid-July allowed an investigation into public officials' involvement in the quake collapses of Feb. 6. Three municipality officials face charges of "causing death and injury by negligence" and "misuse of office."