Elit Apartment case tension rises: 'AKP's Antakya Municipality defies the court'

Tensions flared during the eighth hearing of the Elit Apartment case in Hatay, where a building collapse during an earthquake claimed at least 88 lives. The trial, which involves three defendants in custody and four others charged with "willful negligence causing death and injury," has been marked by a significant standoff between the court and the victims' families. Families of the victims expressed outrage over the Antakya Municipality's repeated failure to provide requested documents. These documents are crucial for establishing the municipality's role, as its personnel were identified as primarily responsible for the building's structural integrity issues. The families accuse the municipality of deliberately obstructing the judicial process by withholding evidence, a delay that has now spanned four hearings. "Madam Judge, I ask you: Is withholding evidence, delaying documents, not a crime?" asked Mümtaz Gövce, a relative of a victim, during the proceedings. "If there is something beyond your authority, tell us, and we will go directly to the Ministry of Justice to explain our plight." The court, in its interim decision, has granted the Antakya Municipality a 10-day deadline to submit the requested documents. The court also stated that if the documents cannot be found, legal action will be initiated against the municipality. The ninth hearing is scheduled for September 8. Following the court's decision, Gövce spoke to Cumhuriyet, stating, "The Antakya Municipality, which is practically defying the court, is committing a crime." He added, "We have had enough of waiting. We have had enough of patience. We have been waiting for documents from the Antakya Municipality for four hearings, but the municipality is not even paying attention. It's acting as if it's dead. Because of the slow progress of the case, we cannot even mourn our loved ones. We feel ashamed towards them. We want our voices to be heard now. We will do everything to ensure justice is served and all responsible parties receive their due punishment."

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Madam Judge, I ask you: Is withholding evidence, delaying documents, not a crime? If there is something beyond your authority, tell us, and we will go directly to the Ministry of Justice to explain our plight.