The hotel manager in Kartalkaya said, "The season is starting, and the deficiencies won't be addressed in time."

08.07.2025 16:41

In relation to the Grand Kartal Hotel fire in Bolu, the hotel's accounting manager, defendant Kadir Özdemir, stated, "I told Emir Bey to address the deficiencies. He said, 'The season is starting, it won't be ready. Cancel the petition.'" Özdemir requested his release, stating that he is not a manager and does not have the authority to make decisions or sign documents.

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On January 21, at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya, the trial of 32 defendants, including the hotel owner and municipal officials, continues on its second day regarding the fire disaster that resulted in the deaths of 78 people, including 36 children, and injured 133 others. The hotel's accounting manager, defendant Kadir Özdemir, made a defense statement during the hearing.

Kadir Özdemir is facing a total of up to 1998 years in prison for 78 counts of "manslaughter with probable intent" and "intentional injury with probable intent."

"EMİR BEY SAID 'THE SEASON IS STARTING, IT WON'T BE COMPLETED' FOR THE DEFICIENCIES TO BE ADDRESSED"

According to journalist Emrullah Erdinç, Kadir Özdemir stated:

Victim's Lawyer: 'I told Emir Bey (General Manager of Grand Kartal Hotel Emir Aras) to address the deficiencies. He said, 'The season is starting, it won't be completed.'

Defendant Kadir Özdemir: That's correct.

Victim's Lawyer: So Emir Aras said, 'Cancel the petition'?

Defendant Kadir Özdemir: That's correct.

Victim's Lawyer: What was the cost of the deficiencies? You caused this pain to the families because of these deficiencies!

Defendant Kadir Özdemir: I don't know.

"I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT I AM A MANAGER"

Özdemir expressed that he is very sorry for what happened and said:

"I am not a manager; I was given a limited power of attorney by the managers. I cannot incur debts, withdraw money from the bank, or buy and sell vehicles. Therefore, I am not the hotel manager. I cannot act without knowledge of the hotel management. For this reason, I do not accept that I am a manager. I go to Grand Kartal Hotel a few times a year. It was said that a café would be opened at the hotel, and it was stated that a fire license needed to be obtained. I told Emir Bey and applied to Bolu Municipality. I wrote the name of the hotel instead of the café. The café had a name in a foreign language. Emir Aras said, 'We have had our license since 2007, why are they inspecting us, cancel this.' I conveyed this to Ahmet Demir, and he said, 'A new application will be made.' Emir Aras said, 'We have had our business opening license since 2007. We cannot address these deficiencies.' I also told Ahmet Demir about this, and he told me to 'cancel it.' We applied again to Bolu Municipality for inspection for the café. I did this with Emir Aras's knowledge. I did not have the authority to participate in the inspection. I handle my own accounting work. I prepare the payrolls for two hotels. I am very busy. Halit Ergül stated that the control is with Emir Aras and that Zeki Yılmaz is under him. My job is personnel and taxes. I do not have administrative duties. I am a worker; the chairman of the board is Halit Ergül. I do not have the authority to make decisions or sign. I request my release."

"THERE WAS NO OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY EXPERT"

In response to a question from the presiding judge, Özdemir stated, "Fire training was not provided to hotel employees. Drills were not conducted. There was no occupational safety expert. Ece Kayacan worked as an occupational safety expert at Gazelle Hotel. I do not know if Kübra Demir is an occupational safety expert. I do not know if there are sprinklers or fire extinguishing systems. I have no knowledge of the transfers and EFTs made after the fire to empty the accounts."