The pain did not subside despite the 6 years that have passed since the largest industrical 'accident' in the history of Turkey where 301 mine workers lost their lives. The hopes of the families who have been demanding justice for 6 years have been destroyed with the new law on execution. Sercan Aran, one of the lawyers working the case, said the defendants will serve 6 days per worker that lost their lives with the new law.

 

Aran stated that they demanded the defendants to be tried with voluntary menslaughter from day one but their demand is not accepted despite the many evidence that proves there was intent.Stating that the prosecutor and then the court members have changed during the court process, Aran reminded that the court president has been changed at the end. Emphasizing that a judge was appointed to the case that tried the Çöllolar Mine Massacre, said: "That judge released all defendants in that case. From this point, we all could see what was going to happen and we were proven right when the defendants were given sentences like a reward.  We carried the decision to the Court of Appeals together with our objections that the sentences given were low and we asked for a hearing in the Court of Appeals. Because, the decision makers did not question any of the defendants, did not examine the files sufficiently, and did not listen to any witnesses, the family and the victims. But they made a decision anyway. The Court of Appeals quickly approved the decision of the local court and released Can Gürkan. At the moment, the case is at the Supreme Court."

 

Stating that the law of execution does not include freedom of thought and expression, Aran said: "Because it is easier for the government to declare anyone who oppose them as a terrorist. The release of Alaattin Çakıcı shows clearly who this new law protects. To look at the new law in terms of Soma case, it has shown that it does not provide what is expected from the penal system. I think the Constitutional Court (AYM) should make a violation decision if it evaluates the execution package on the basis of fundamental rights and freedoms."

 

Reminding that they applied to the AYM in order to prosecute the public officials in the Soma case, Aran said that with the decision of the AYM to conduct an effective investigation against the public officials, a path was opened leading to the possibility of the prosecution of the public officials. Saying that they hope to reach real justice in Soma case, Aran stated that Selçuk Kozağaçlı was sentenced to 11 years 3 months of prison because he fought for justice in Soma case. Aran said: "Now we are waiting for the Supreme Court decision. Two of our colleagues are death fasting right now, demanding fair trial. We are face to face with a situation that is neither humane nor legitimate."

 

 

 

MA / Sevda Aydın