25.12.2025 20:10
In the case regarding the collapse of the Hakimbey Apartment, which was destroyed in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş and resulted in the deaths of 78 people, four defendants were sentenced to prison while two defendants were acquitted.
In the case regarding the collapse of the Hakimbey Apartment in Malatya, where 78 people lost their lives during the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, two of the six defendants being tried without detention were sentenced to 17 years and 6 months, two others to 10 years in prison, while two defendants were acquitted.
The Hakimbey Apartment, located in the Zafer neighborhood of the Battalgazi district in Malatya, collapsed during the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş. Among the 78 people who lost their lives under the rubble was national basketball player Nilay Aydoğan.
A CASE WAS FILED WITH UP TO 22 YEARS OF PRISON SENTENCE
In the investigation initiated by the Malatya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the collapse of the apartment, a case was filed against six defendants, including the project author Bülent Yeroğlu, the construction engineer of the municipality Ahmet Özer who approved the reinforced concrete application project, Architect Abdurrahman Yavuz, Construction Engineers Basri Ardağ and Demet Doğan, and the then Director of Municipal Zoning Affairs Mustafa Bingöl, on charges of 'causing the death of multiple people with conscious negligence,' seeking prison sentences ranging from 2 to 22 years.
THEY APPEARED BEFORE THE JUDGE
The final hearing of the case, in which six defendants were tried without detention, was held today. Relatives of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and the lawyers of the parties attended the hearing. Architect Abdurrahman Yavuz, who is a defendant, and Construction Engineer Bülent Yeroğlu, who was sentenced to 15 years and 9 months in prison in the case of the Balanlı Apartment where 26 people lost their lives, also participated in the hearing via SEGBİS.
During the hearing, families of the victims demanded the highest penalties for the responsible parties, while the defendants and their lawyers requested acquittal.
THE COURT RENDERED ITS DECISIONS
The court panel sentenced project author Bülent Yeroğlu and Architect Abdurrahman Yavuz to 17 years and 6 months, while Construction Engineer Ahmet Özer, who approved the reinforced concrete application project, and the then Director of Municipal Zoning Affairs Mustafa Bingöl were sentenced to 10 years in prison. The court also acquitted construction engineers Demet Doğan and Basri Ardağ.
Yunus Öner, who lost his sister and sister-in-law in the collapse of the Hakimbey Apartment, stated that they had always been left alone until this process, saying, "The heavy penal court made the decisions it deemed appropriate. There were parts that were not tried. Bureaucracy protected the institutions here. While the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization is primarily responsible in this matter, no official was tried. We could not bring them to court. This is also a painful situation for us. We have made the necessary complaints, hopefully, they will be tried as well."
Ömer Berkay Aydoğan, the brother of national basketball player Nilay Aydoğan, and his mother Mediha Sevgi Aydoğan stated that the case has been ongoing for about 2 years, saying, "It should not be normal for the Turkish people to die during earthquakes, floods, and fires. The guilty must be punished, and everyone must do their job."
One of the lawyers of the case, Kerem Kaptanoğlu, stated that the court announced its decision with high penalties for conscious negligence today. The process continues, and we will ensure its follow-up. Hopefully, this decision has somewhat relieved the conscience of the victim families."