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A Turkish court issued its verdict in the trial concerning the fatal mine explosion that claimed the lives of 43 miners in Amasra, Türkiye.
The Bartin Heavy Penal Court sentenced 20 defendants to prison terms ranging from three years and one month to 17 years for "reckless manslaughter resulting in multiple deaths and injuries," while acquitting three others.
The decision sparked an emotional reaction outside the courthouse, with grieving families expressing their disappointment and frustration. "Justice is dead in this country. We want real justice," one relative cried.
Another distraught mother, who lost her 22-year-old son in the explosion, asked, "Where is justice for my child?"
The 12th hearing took place in a specially designated courtroom within Bartin Courthouse, under heavy security measures. Both detained and non-detained defendants, as well as victims' families and lawyers, attended the session.
Before the verdict, the presiding judge asked the defendants for their final statements. The accused denied responsibility, requesting acquittal. Defense lawyers argued that witness testimonies proved there was no production pressure and called for the release of the detained defendants and the acquittal of others.
The court handed down significant prison terms to four key figures in the disaster:
Sixteen additional defendants received sentences ranging from three years and one month to nine years, while all defendants were placed under an international travel ban.
In its indictment, the prosecution highlighted major safety lapses as key factors behind the explosion. Investigators found that the accused ignored critical issues, including:
The prosecution argued that the defendants had knowingly continued hazardous mining activities despite being aware of the life-threatening risks. Initially, prosecutors had sought prison terms of up to 1,050 years for four primary suspects under charges of "willful murder."
The explosion occurred on Oct. 14, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. in a coal mine operated by Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) in Amasra. Forty-one workers died instantly, with two more succumbing to injuries in the following months. Eleven others were injured.
Following an extensive investigation, authorities detained 24 individuals, including top officials from the TTK Amasra Institution. While some were released under judicial control, eight key figures were initially held in custody. Over time, multiple defendants were granted release under house arrest or travel restrictions.
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