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In a controversial turn in the legal aftermath of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, the only remaining detained suspect in the case of the Ezgi Apartment collapse has been released. The decision means that no one is currently in custody over the destruction of the building, which left 35 people dead in the city of Kahramanmaras.
Located on Alparslan Turkes Boulevard in the Onikisubat district of Kahramanmaras, the Ezgi Apartment was one of the many buildings destroyed in the twin earthquakes that hit southeastern Türkiye. Among those killed beneath the rubble were lawyer Ahmet Can, his wife Nesibe Zabun, and their six-month-old baby Asude.
The Kahramanmaras Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a sweeping investigation, charging several individuals in connection with the tragedy. These included the owners of a well-known pastry shop, Kervan Pastanesi, who were operating inside the building at the time and are currently fugitives—Sami Kervancioglu and Mustafa Pekel. Prosecutors also charged interior architect Ertan Danaci, who allegedly organized the renovation of the pastry shop.
The prosecution sought prison sentences ranging from 700 years to over 870 years for Danaci and the two pastry shop executives. They were charged with “deliberate killing with probable intent” and “intentional injury with probable intent,” one count for each person killed or injured in the building.
In addition, the building’s contractor Yakup Aktas and technical supervisor Mehmet Tekin face lesser charges of “causing death and injury through gross negligence,” carrying potential prison terms of up to 22 years.
Ertan Danaci, who had been the only suspect held in pre-trial detention, was released after submitting a formal request to Kahramanmaras 4th High Criminal Court. His legal team also filed an objection to his detention. The court accepted the objections, citing the nature of the charges, the current state of evidence, and the duration of Danaci’s pre-trial imprisonment.
The court placed Danaci under judicial control, imposing a travel ban and requiring him to check in at a local police station every Wednesday.
Meanwhile, fugitives Sami Kervancioglu and Mustafa Pekel reportedly filed an appeal to lift the arrest warrants issued against them. However, the court has not yet ruled on this request.
The release of Danaci and the appeal by the fugitives have sparked strong reactions from the victims’ families. Nurgul Goksu, who lost her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild in the collapse, condemned the court’s decision. Speaking to ANKA News Agency, she said:
“Today, the only detained suspect in the Ezgi Apartment case, where I lost three loved ones, has been released. The latest expert report added to the case was split—two conflicting conclusions were submitted. One report claims that cutting of columns and beams didn’t cause the collapse. Another expert disagrees, stating that anyone who damaged load-bearing elements is directly at fault. What more can I say? Shame on them. Soon they’ll blame the victims for dying. I will not stop fighting until justice is done for my children.”
Goksu’s lawyers have filed formal objections both to Danaci’s release and the fugitives’ legal appeals.
With Danaci’s release and the other key suspects still at large, the case of Feb. 6 earthquakes now proceeds with no one behind bars, raising questions about accountability for one of the most devastating building collapses in Türkiye’s recent seismic history.
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