22.5 Years in Prison Sought for Contractor Hasan Alpargün Extradited from TRNC

It was established that Alpargün had arrived in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the day of the earthquake. Subsequently, he surrendered to the Lefkoşa Police Directorate and was transported to Adana, where he was arrested on February 13, 2023.

A new expert report on the Alpargün Apartment, which collapsed in the earthquake, has revealed significant construction deficiencies. The report was prepared by a six-member team of faculty from Konya Technical University and added to the case file at the Adana 12th High Criminal Court, where Alpargün is being held in custody.

The report details the deficiencies in the structure, including inadequate reinforcement in some columns, deviations from the static project data, and a failure to meet the minimum reinforcement requirements. It also noted the absence of rebar at the ends of some shear walls.

Concrete samples from the building showed that the concrete used did not meet the minimum compressive strength requirements. The building also failed to comply with the seismic regulations in effect at the time of construction (1975).

Key findings from the report include:

• Insufficient rebar in some columns.
• Columns that varied in size from floor to floor.
• Lack of rebar in shear wall ends.
• Concrete that did not meet the minimum strength requirements.
• Non-compliance with the 1975 earthquake regulations.
• Unapproved project details were found during construction.
• Failure to detect project discrepancies during inspections.

The next hearing in Alpargün’s trial is scheduled for June 27.

Timeline of Events:

• February 6, 2023: Hasan Alpargün arrived in TRNC on the day of the earthquake.
• February 13, 2023: Alpargün surrendered to the Lefkoşa Police Directorate and was extradited to Adana, where he was subsequently arrested.
• Allegations: It is alleged that Alpargün attempted to transfer $990,000, €890,000, and ₺500,000 from Turkey to TRNC and sought to purchase an apartment in Lefkoşa.

The severity of the charges against Alpargün reflects the tragic loss of life and the gross negligence identified in the construction of the Alpargün Apartment. The legal proceedings continue as the court evaluates the evidence and testimonies related to this case.