The speech of the Council of State president, who lost his child in the Kartalkaya case, made a significant impact.

12.07.2025 16:06

In the case of the hotel fire disaster in Kartalkaya, where 78 people lost their lives, Abdurrahman Gençbay, the President of the 9th Chamber of the Council of State and the father of Yiğit Gençbay, who died while re-entering the hotel to rescue those trapped inside, spoke out. Gençbay said, "The Minister of Culture and Tourism is not granting permission for an investigation to the officials responsible for oversight. What does this person sitting in the ministerial chair want to do?"

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In the Grand Kartal Hotel fire at Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, which claimed the lives of 78 people and injured 133 others, the trial of 32 defendants, including the hotel owner and municipal officials, continues on its sixth day with the statements of the complainants.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF STATE WHO LOST HIS CHILD IN THE FIRE SPOKE

In the courtroom specially created in the gymnasium of Bolu Social Sciences High School by the Bolu 1st Heavy Penal Court, the father of Yiğit Gençbay, a medical student who lost his life after re-entering the hotel to save others, and mechanical engineer Alp Mercan, was given the floor. He is the President of the 9th Chamber of the Council of State, Abdurrahman Gençbay.

"THE DEFENDANTS INSULTED THOSE WHO LOST THEIR CHILDREN"

Complainant Gençbay stated that they came here seeking justice for the wrongdoers to account for their actions against the good, noting that he watched the trial for 5 days and that the scene he witnessed further pained him.

Gençbay expressed that they did not come here as parties in a fight, saying, "Those who work in the tourism sector know very well that hotel customers are called 'guests.' Our loved ones went as guests, but they were murdered by the hosts. Despite this, the defendants could not tolerate the human reactions of those whose hearts were burning. They insulted the aunts and mothers who lost their children with unspeakable curses."

"OUR CHILDREN GAVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR PEOPLE THEY DID NOT KNOW"

Gençbay, stating that his son and childhood friend stayed in the room across from Emine Murtezaoğlu Ergül, the wife of the hotel owner Halit Ergül and the detained defendant who is a member of the board of directors, continued his words:

"Ms. Emine, they were staying in room 6017, which is across from your room. They also left the room just like you did. There was not even smoke in my child's room. If they had stayed in their rooms, perhaps nothing would have happened. Hearing the screams of the people and children inside, they entered the fire to help unknown people. Their friend graduated on July 2, but I had to watch my child's friends' graduation ceremony. I was able to find their bodies on the 10th floor. Our children gave up their lives for people they did not know."

"THIS CASE WILL BE A CASE THAT ELIMINATES THE PERCEPTION OF IMPUNITY"

President of the 9th Chamber of the Council of State Gençbay stated that the case will go down in history in every aspect, saying, "This case will be one that eliminates the perception of impunity. This case will be the case of the good against the bad. It will be the case of this noble nation against those who despise it and disregard its life and property. Therefore, 84 million people are following this case."

"OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM ARE AT THE HEAD OF THIS ORGANIZED EVIL"

Gençbay expressed his belief that the decision of the court will go down in history, saying, "However, for this, external factors must also pave the way for the trial. This is the sixth largest hotel fire recorded in the world. There are many participants in this organized evil. Among them are the business owners, the operators providing services to this business, and the municipal and special administration officials who are being tried here. There are many other officials who participated in this. The officials responsible for inspection and oversight from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are at the forefront of this organized evil. There are also officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security who failed to ensure the inspection of the hotel and the appointment of a workplace safety expert."

"WHAT DOES THIS PERSON SITTING IN THE MINISTRY CHAIR WANT TO DO?"

President of the 9th Chamber of the Council of State Gençbay stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism did not grant permission for an investigation regarding the responsible parties to the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, continuing:

"The Minister of Culture and Tourism does not grant investigation permission to anyone. Moreover, according to news in the press; referring to certain individuals, he says, 'These are my precious ones, therefore I did not grant investigation permission.' What does this person sitting in the ministry chair want to do? Does he want to undermine the words of our esteemed President? Or does he want to send a message to the Minister of Justice, saying, 'Things are not going as you say. Mr. Minister, you cannot subject my precious ones to investigation.' Therefore, while saying that this supreme court will go down in history, senior executives and all parties must avoid any attitudes, behaviors, and actions that will hinder the court's independent trial. I came here for my child Yiğit, but I am here for the 78 lives we lost."

"WHY HAVE GOVERNORS NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION?"

Gençbay reported that the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuing its work regarding other suspects whose judicial paths have been closed, saying, "We are also following the process. Why have all the governors who have served since the establishment of this hotel, which is the local representative of the central administration, not been subject to investigation? We are pursuing our claim regarding the governors. Our esteemed Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested investigation permission regarding the officials of the Ministry of Labor who inspected this hotel in the past, but the Ministry has still not made a positive decision. The Ministry of Labor has not conducted inspections for 13 years and has not ensured the appointment of a workplace safety expert."

"THIS CASE IS THE CASE OF THE ENTIRE NATION"

Abdurrahman Gençbay pointed out that foreign tour companies examine the hotels they work with every year in terms of fire safety, stating that Etstur did not conduct such an examination.

Gençbay noted:

"Turkey is following this trial here; this case is the case of the entire nation. We have full faith that a fair, impartial, and unbiased decision will be made here. After such a decision is made, nothing will be the same as before; our 78 children will not have burned in vain. From now on, tourism business owners and other business owners, managers, will not be able to engage in actions and activities that disregard human life in their greed for more profit."

```Elbette, metni İngilizceye çevirebilirim. İşte çeviri:



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Employees and supervisors will perform their duties knowing the responsibility of this. Those who grant permits and licenses to these businesses will also supervise afterwards to prevent them from acting contrary to the license. May your sword be sharp, your decision fair, and your judgment conscientious. Show the whole world that there are judges in Bolu.

THE SPEECH RECEIVED APPLAUSE

After the speech, the complainants who stood up applauded the President of the 9th Chamber of the Council of State, Gençbay, for a while. The court president also said, "As a panel, we also express our condolences and share your pain."