The fugitive defendant Eda Aybaba Çelik, in her defense petition sent to the court regarding the Sami Bey Apartment case, which collapsed in the earthquakes of February 6 in Adana, resulting in the death of 40 people, stated that her father Abdullah Aybaba was responsible for the construction of the building and that it was not possible for her to come to Turkey due to the established order in England. During the hearing, the victim's lawyers requested the capture and punishment of the fugitive defendants, while the defendants' lawyers requested the lifting of the arrest warrant. The court panel rejected the requests for the lifting of the arrest warrant and for guarantees against arrest.
In the Sami Bey Apartment, which collapsed in the earthquakes of February 6 in the Güzelyalı neighborhood of Çukurova district in Adana, 40 people lost their lives, and 2 were injured. The Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit against the contractors of the building, Abdullah Aybaba and his daughter Eda Aybaba Çelik, for "causing the death of multiple people by conscious negligence," seeking up to 22 years and 6 months in prison. Additionally, a lawsuit was filed against the former Director of Zoning of Seyhan Municipality, Alim Erdoğan, and former Land Registry Technician, Sunay Meydan, for the same crime related to the building's collapse. Both case files were later merged.
The trial of four defendants, two of whom are fugitives and two of whom are free, continued at the Adana 4th High Criminal Court; the hearing was attended by the free defendants and the lawyers of the parties. It was stated in court that the red notice arrest warrant issued for defendants Abdullah Aybaba and Eda Aybaba Çelik had not yet been executed.
"MY FATHER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING"
Fugitive defendant Eda Aybaba Çelik appealed against the arrest warrant and red notice decision issued against her in her defense petition sent to the court. Çelik stated that she has been legally residing in England since 2017, and therefore she is not a fugitive but a defendant residing abroad. Eda Aybaba Çelik, who argued that there is no "strong suspicion of crime" against her, stated that her father Abdullah Aybaba was responsible for the construction of the building. Çelik said, "The transfer of the share that caused my association with the case was carried out unilaterally, unlawfully, and arbitrarily by my father without my knowledge, consent, request, or any participation. This transfer, made without my will, is legally null and void." Stating that it is not possible for her to come to Turkey due to the established order in England, Çelik requested that her defense be taken via the SEGBİS system through the London Consulate General.
"WE WANT BOTH DEFENDANTS TO BE PUNISHED"
The victim's lawyer Hasan Murt stated that they do not accept the defense of defendant Eda Aybaba Çelik, saying, "The company was established, and the necessary applications were made in the subsequent process. However, the defendant claims that she has no responsibility to escape punishment after the incident. We want both defendants to be punished."
"HE FLED ABROAD AFTER THE BUILDING COLLAPSED"
The victim's lawyer Dudu Büşra Maksutoğlu stated that defendant Abdullah Aybaba left for abroad from Istanbul Airport at 18:30 the day after the earthquake, saying, "This person fled after the collapse of the building for which he was the contractor, which clearly indicates his guilt. We do not accept the defense contents of defendant Eda Çelik either. We demand the punishment of both defendants, who are father and daughter."
"LIFT THE ARREST WARRANT"
Defendant Abdullah Aybaba's lawyer stated that his client has built many constructions but only the Sami Bey Apartment collapsed, requesting an investigation into whether any illegal actions were taken in the building and the lifting of the arrest warrant for the purpose of arrest and the issuance of a warrant for defense. Defendant Eda Aybaba Çelik's lawyer requested that her client's statement be taken via video or through a commission from England and that the arrest warrant be lifted.
THE HEARING WAS ADJOURNED TO MARCH 26
The court panel decided to wait for the execution of the red notice arrest warrant issued for defendants Abdullah Aybaba and Eda Aybaba Çelik and to write a letter regarding their status. The panel also rejected the requests for the lifting of the arrest warrant and for guarantees against arrest at this stage.
The court decided to write to the Ministry of Justice's General Directorate of European Union and Foreign Relations to inquire whether there is a mutual legal assistance agreement between England and Turkey. For this reason, the hearing was adjourned to March 26, 2026.