Justice vigil in Ankara for those who lost their lives in the Bolu Grand Kartal Hotel fire

Families who lost their relatives in the Bolu Grand Kartal Hotel fire started a "Justice Vigil for 78 Lives" in Ankara Anıtpark to announce their demands for justice.

78 chairs, representing the 78 people who lost their lives in the fire, were placed in the vigil area where the families will continue between 08.00-17.00 today, tomorrow and Sunday. While carnations were left on the chairs, the names and photographs of those who lost their lives were shown on the cinevision screen.

“THAT NIGHT WAS NOT OVER FOR US”

Making a statement on behalf of the families, Çiğdem Sarıtaş, who lost her brother Yılmaz and her nephews Nehir and Doruk in the fire, stated that 619 days have passed since 78 people, including 36 children, lost their lives.

Sarıtaş said, "That night is not over for us. The fire within us has not gone out. Our pain has not subsided. We wake up to the same absence every morning. What keeps us alive is the memory of our lives and our belief that justice will be served."

“POSABLE CASTE” CALL TO THE SUPREME COURT

Reminding that the main case is at the Supreme Court stage, Sarıtaş said that the families are waiting for the convictions given especially within the scope of "possible intent" to be approved.

Sarıtaş said, "We want the right to life of our 78 people and the responsibility revealed in the file to be fully met before the law."

CALL FOR INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO MINISTRIES

Sarıtaş requested the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to finalize the investigation files regarding the responsibilities of public officials.

Stating that the families are waiting for the indictments to be prepared and the trials to begin, Sarıtaş said, "Every delay adds a new pain to our loss."

“ACCOUNTING FOR 78 LIVES CANNOT BE DELAYED ANY LONGER”

Addressing Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, Sarıtaş said:

"We are witnessing how quickly judicial processes can proceed when requested. Why are families still waiting for an indictment in these files, where evidence and responsibilities are in plain sight? We expect the urgency required to complete the investigations and begin the trials to be shown in our files as well. Accounting for 78 lives cannot be postponed any longer."

Sarıtaş also reacted to the fact that public officials, whom they argue have responsibilities, are still in office and said, "Public duty does not eliminate accountability. No authority can privilege anyone before the law."

“DON'T LEAVE OUR DEMAND FOR JUSTICE ALONE”

Calling on citizens, Sarıtaş said, "Do not divert your attention from this case. Do not leave our demand for justice alone."

Sarıtaş concluded his statement with the words, "We will not let go of these files until the last responsible person is held accountable. Our watch does not end, our breath does not run out. We are the breath of our breathless souls."

GÜLTEKİN: “WE DO NOT WANT TO WAIT 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS, 30 YEARS”

Lawyer Yüksel Gültekin, who lost 8 members of his family in the fire, reminded that they had previously tried to make their voices heard in front of the Bolu Courthouse and Ankara Ulus Square.

Gültekin said, "We do not want to wait 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, 30 years for the perpetrators of this incident to be brought to justice."

“WHEN WILL THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE?”

Gültekin called out to Minister of Justice Gürlek and called for a judicial process to be initiated against officials of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Gültekin said, "If I were at the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Minister of Justice, I would look at the face of the Minister of Tourism and say: 'When will this Minister of Tourism be held accountable? When will the personnel he protects be held accountable?'"