Interior Ministry declined to allow investigation of municipal officials over Gözde Apartment earthquake collapse that killed 25; prosecutors need ministry permission to probe officials
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On 8 January 2026 then-Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya declined permission to investigate former İslahiye mayor Nuri Köse and four municipal staff over the Gözde Apartment collapse in the February 2023 earthquakes (25 dead), citing an expert report that placed primary responsibility on the building's technical supervisor. Lawyers for the complainants called the decision contrary to law and protective of officials. Under Turkish law prosecutors must obtain permission before investigating public officials; Human Rights Watch reported in 2025 that the ministry had refused to disclose how many permissions it granted. BirGün reported that in June 2026 a court annulled a separate refusal in the Öztekin Apartment case.
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