09.07.2025 16:22
In the case of the fire disaster in Bolu that claimed the lives of 78 people, Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, the daughter of Halit Ergül, the owner of the Grand Kartal Hotel, found herself cornered during cross-examination. It was revealed that Hacıbekiroğlu, who stated in her defense, "I am a housewife," had sent a marketing message saying, "The discount code is attached, I invite you to our hotel."
On January 21, in Bolu Kartalkaya, 36 children among 78 people lost their lives in a hotel fire tragedy. In relation to this incident, 32 defendants, including the hotel owner and municipal officials, appeared before the judge, 19 of whom are in custody. On the third day of the trial, Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, the daughter of Halit Ergül, the owner of Grand Kartal Hotel and a member of the company's board of directors, took the stand to defend herself.
"I DON'T REMEMBER ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS FOR 14 YEARS"
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu was cornered during cross-examination in the courtroom. According to journalist Emrullah Erdinç's reports; victim lawyers pointed out the contradictions between the defendant's defense, which avoided managerial responsibilities, and the hotel promotional messages she sent, as well as the signed documents. Hacıbekiroğlu stated in her defense:
Victim Lawyer: Have you attended the board meetings of Grand Kartal Hotel until now?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't know.
Victim Lawyer: Did you not attend even once in 14 years?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't remember.
Victim Lawyer: You made a decision at the company headquarters in 2024, and your signature is on the document.
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: That signature is not mine.
"I AM A HOUSEWIFE," SHE SAID, MARKETING MESSAGE EMERGED
Victim Lawyer: You said in your defense that you are a "housewife." Then you have no marketing or sales authority, right?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Yes, I don't.
Victim Lawyer: I will present evidence to the committee: the message you sent stating, "The discount code is attached, I look forward to seeing you at our hotel."
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: My father said a certain discount could be made, and I sent it to my friends.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT 'SHAREHOLDER' MEANS"
Victim Lawyer: Do you have a share in the other hotel?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't know what "shareholder" means.
Victim Lawyer: You said you are educated. Where did you study?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I studied abroad.
Victim Lawyer: Then it is not possible that you don't know what "shareholder" means.
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't know; I was appointed to the board a long time ago.
Victim Lawyer: However, the company was established in 2021.
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't know.
"I DON'T PAY TO STAY AT THE HOTEL"
Victim Lawyer: What did you do when you went to Bolu center the morning after the fire?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I went to the doctor; I wanted to see if my friends were there.
Victim Lawyer: You sent a message to the parent group saying, "An unfortunate incident occurred, work is ongoing." You say you stayed as a guest; how much did you pay for the hotel?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I didn't pay.
Victim Lawyer: But customers pay, right?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I wasn't paying.
THE DEFENDANT'S WORDS INCREASED TENSION IN THE COURTROOM
Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu's interrogation increased tension in the courtroom. Her frequent responses of "I don't know," "I don't remember," and "I couldn't think" to the questions directed at her caused reactions from the victim families.
"I EARN A SALARY OF AROUND 60-70 THOUSAND LIRA"
Victim Lawyer: Do you receive a salary?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: A little.
Victim Lawyer: How much?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Around 60-70 thousand lira.
Victim Lawyer: Do you sign a payroll?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: No.
Victim Lawyer: Why didn't you save anyone while escaping from the room?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I couldn't tell.
"I COULDN'T THINK"
Victim Lawyer: People died on the same floor while you were escaping.
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I couldn't think.
Victim Lawyer: You said you studied in Switzerland. What field did you study?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Tourism.
"MY FRIENDS WANTED TO VACATION, I SHARED A DISCOUNT CODE"
Victim Lawyer: You say you studied in this field but know nothing. How many families did you coordinate to host at the hotel for the semester break on the day of the incident?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: My friends wanted to go on a ski vacation. I shared a discount code.
Victim Lawyer: You lost a very close friend. Who was that?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Duygu Doğan.
"I AM A VICTIM PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY"
Victim Lawyer: Duygu Doğan, her husband, and child were on the same floor. Why didn't you save them?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: They were inside.
Victim Lawyer: Mavi Soyan was your child's friend. Why didn't you save him?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Other friends had already gone out.
Victim Lawyer: Then you could have called and informed them after going outside.
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I called after going outside.
Victim Lawyer: As hotel owners, you also experienced this disaster. You survived the fire. Do you see yourself as a victim?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: We do.
Victim Lawyer: Like other victims, did you file a complaint with the judicial authorities regarding those responsible for the fire?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I did not. I am a victim physically and emotionally.
Victim Lawyer: Your spouse is also one of the victims who survived the fire with the children. After seeing the deficiencies in the hotel, did he file any complaints?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I don't know. I have no information.
Victim Lawyer: Is the reason for your constant negative and evasive answers because you think you have personal responsibility in this fire?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: No lawyer has ever told me such a thing.
"I DID NOT THINK TO OFFER CONDOLENCES DUE TO THE NEWS ABOUT US"
Victim Lawyer: Can you talk about your work life?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: Due to my education, I interned at two hotels in Istanbul.
Victim Lawyer: This 'good person' who you said wouldn't hurt an ant has been outside for two months.
Did such a brave person not think to call us and express condolences?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I didn't think about it due to the news that came out about us.
Victim's Lawyer: How did Duygu Doğan, who was on the same floor as you, not escape?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I thought she got out like I did.
Victim's Lawyer: Why didn't you think to warn people by shouting when there was heavy smoke in the corridor?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: I got out the same way everyone else did.
"MY DAD SENDS IT LIKE POCKET MONEY"
Victim's Lawyer: Your father stated in his testimony that you have a monthly income of 100,000 TL. He claimed to have sent you 70,000 TL. How is this a living? Or is the payment made through the company?
Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: It varies from time to time. He sends it like pocket money.
Upon these answers, the presiding judge concluded the defendant's interrogation.
Then, the defendant Kadir Özdemir was called back to the stand.
Victim's Lawyer: Did you make payments to the board members as an accountant?
Defendant Kadir Özdemir: I don't remember.
Victim's Lawyer: Don't do that, you know this.
Defendant Kadir Özdemir: A fee for attending meetings is paid. Payments were made to Ms. Ceyda, Ms. Elif, and Ms. Emine.
After the statement of defendant Özdemir, he took his seat. The interrogation of Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu was completed.
Subsequently, Elif Aras, a board member of Grand Kartal Hotel, took the stand. The hearing continues with the interrogation of Elif Aras.