Former Governor of Hatay, Rahmi Doğan, was appointed as the Governor of Sakarya on the night when the earthquake victim filed a criminal complaint.

Former Governor of Hatay, Rahmi Doğan, was accused of not fulfilling his responsibilities during the earthquakes on February 6th. However, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation did not take action on this accusation. Doğan's appointment as the Governor of Sakarya on the same night drew attention and sparked controversy.

"HE DID NOT TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE AND AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE"

In the criminal complaint filed by Cahit Aşkar, who lost his family in the earthquake, it was alleged that Doğan did not take necessary precautions before and after the earthquake, there were delays in delivering aid, and no disaster preparedness efforts were made.

COURT OF CASSATION DID NOT PROCESS THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

Aşkar held Doğan responsible for the losses and accused him of "abuse of duty." However, the Court of Cassation decided not to process this criminal complaint on September 18, 2024.

The decision stated that "the allegations against Rahmi Doğan are abstract and general in nature, not based on concrete information and evidence." The decision text summarized as follows: "On February 6, 2023, an earthquake occurred in the province of Kahramanmaraş, affecting the surrounding provinces as well. Over fifty thousand of our citizens lost their lives, over a hundred thousand were injured, and thousands of buildings collapsed. Immediately after the earthquake, investigations were initiated by local Republic prosecutors' offices to determine the individuals responsible for the collapsed buildings. If the responsibility of the governor is determined regarding the damaged and collapsed buildings, the affected citizens, and search and rescue operations, the situation can be reported to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Cassation for necessary action. Similarly, if there is a specific allegation of an act, necessary examinations and procedures can be carried out. Considering these points, it is understood that the allegations against Former Governor of Hatay, Rahmi Doğan, are abstract and general in nature, not based on concrete information and evidence. Therefore, it was decided not to process the complaint and report in accordance with Article 4, paragraph 4 of Law No. 4483."

APPOINTMENT DECISION CAUSED CONTROVERSY

On the same night, Doğan was appointed as the Governor of Sakarya through a decree published in the Official Gazette. This appointment, especially considering the accusations against Doğan, received criticism and became a subject of political debate.