Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç stated that the investigation regarding the students who lost their lives at İsias Hotel has been completed, and that there are 9 accused persons in the file, 5 of whom are detained, and that the trial of the case will begin in Adıyaman on January 3.
Minister of Justice Tunç, who held contacts in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, met with the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar.
Noting that Türkiye always stands by the TRNC, Minister Tunç said, “It is our duty to ensure that justice is brought to light. The judicial process is entrusted to us. At this point, hopefully we will endeavour to follow up until the end.”
WE WILL FOLLOW THE CASE
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, who stated that he visited the graves of TRNC students who lost their lives in the rubble of İsias Hotel, which collapsed in Adıyaman where they had come for a volleyball tournament, in Famagusta Cemetery and expressed his condolences to their families, informed the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar about the judicial process.
Stating that the families of the students want to follow the case, Minister Tunç said that they are working on this matter. Asking the families to trust the Turkish judiciary, Minister of Justice Tunç emphasized that justice will definitely be served and that they will follow the case.
Minister Tunç said, “Of course, it is not possible to bring back those who are gone. But those who caused that damage, those who are responsible for the loss of our children’s lives, should be held accountable before the judiciary. We agree with them on this issue, we share their sorrow and we will follow this litigation process until the end. This case is our common cause.”
Noting that Türkiye has always stood by the TRNC, Minister Tunç continued his words as follows:
“The welfare and peace of our citizens living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is also our welfare and peace. Our President of the Republic expressed our views in a high tone at the United Nations, especially on the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We will endeavour to continue this struggle by further strengthening our bilateral relations.”
THE JUDICIAL PROCESS IS ENTRUSTED TO US
Within the framework of his contacts, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç also visited Zorlu Töre, the Speaker of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Assembly,
Minister Tunç stated that they felt the pain of TRNC students very deeply and continued his words as follows:
“Unfortunately, 35 of our children, athletes lost their lives at Isias Hotel. We also have citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who died in other provinces. 46 TRNC citizens lost their lives in the earthquake. Of course, we are very sorry for all of them, together with our Champion Angels. It is our duty to follow the judicial process of those who caused their deaths and those who were at fault as well as to ensure that justice is brought to light. In this context, a meticulous investigation process took place. The judicial process is entrusted to us. At this point, hopefully we will strive to follow it until the end.”
TÜRKİYE AND THE TRNC ARE PURSUING A COMMON NATIONAL CAUSE
Stating that every visit from the motherland to the TRNC makes them happy, Zorlu Töre, the Speaker of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Assembly, emphasized that the TRNC is a national Turkish state and that Türkiye and the TRNC are pursuing a common national cause.
Töre declared that the rights and interests of the Turkish nation cannot be considered separately and said, “Our subject in this national cause is the national rights and interests of our nation. The Turkish Cypriot people are the national rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish nation. It is not right to consider these separately. We are pursuing a common national cause. It is not possible to take this national cause forward without Türkiye.”
THE CAUSE OF THE TURKISH PEOPLE HERE IS ALSO OUR NATIONAL CAUSE
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç also visited TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel within the scope of his contacts with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Expressing that he is pleased to be in TRNC, Minister of Justice Tunç stated that the relations between Türkiye and TRNC are built on solid foundations based on blood ties, common history and culture, and said “The cause of the Turkish people here is also our national cause.”
Stating that they will not compromise on the national cause, Minister Tunç noted that they are making an effort to voice the rights, law and independence of the TRNC before the whole world, on every platform.
Expressing his condolences to the Turkish nation and Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said “Türkiye is our homeland. While we share this pain, we try to help our homeland as much as we can.”
Referring to the judicial process regarding the students who lost their lives in the rubble of the collapsed hotel in Adıyaman, where they came for the volleyball tournament, Üstel said that they trust the Turkish judiciary and that they will attend the hearing to be held in Adıyaman on January 3.
WE TRUST THE JUDICIARY
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç also met with TRNC Minister of Interior Dursun Oğuz. At the press conference held after the meeting at the Interior Ministry building in Nicosia, Tunç expressed his pleasure to be in TRNC.
Stating that they were deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the earthquake, including TRNC students, parents and teachers, Minister Tunç said, "We trust the judiciary. It is not possible to relieve the pain, but those who caused the death of our children should be punished according to the decision of the judiciary. We are in favor of justice. We sincerely believe that the justice will be manifested in the right way."
WE STAND BY TRNC AS THE MOTHERLAND
Stating that the Cyprus cause is Türkiye's national cause, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç emphasized that they always stand by the TRNC.
"The welfare and peace of the TRNC citizens is also our peace," said Minister Yılmaz Tunç and continued his words as follows:
"Especially our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on every platform, shouts to the whole world that TRNC's struggle for independence and that it should be recognized as an independent state. At the most recent meeting held at the UN General Assembly, he again expressed this in a strong tone. It was important that the TRNC had observer status in the Organization of Turkic States. We continue our policy to spread the recognition process of TRNC to the whole world by being included in this organization. As the motherland, I would like to express that we always stand by the TRNC."
Referring to the judicial cooperation agreement between Türkiye and TRNC, Minister Tunç stated that the process regarding the transfer of convicts and the extradition of criminals continues smoothly within the framework of this agreement.
IT WILL BE A RELIEF IN TERMS OF JUSTICE
Dursun Oğuz, Minister of Interior of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, stated that Türkiye and the TRNC are closely following the case of Isias Hotel, which collapsed in Adıyaman during the earthquakes centered on Kahramanmaraş on February 6.
"You have brought relief to the hearts of the entire Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, everyone, especially the families," said Minister Oğuz, emphasizing that Türkiye's close follow-up of this case is very important for the TRNC and added, "Of course, it does not bring back the dead, but it will be a consolation that will bring relief to the hearts in terms of justice."
Stating that the first hearing of the Isias Hotel case will be held on January 3, 2024, Oğuz said that as the TRNC, they would follow this case.
Following the meeting, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç visited the New Central Prison in Minareliköy and later met with the members of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Survival of Champion Angels, founded by the relatives of those who lost their lives in the Isias Hotel, at the embassy residence.