Two suspects released in trial over Dilovası factory fire that killed seven

The Gebze 7th Heavy Penal Court ruled on the trial concerning the cosmetic factory fire in Dilovası, Kocaeli, which killed seven people. Two suspects, Ali Osman Akat and Abdurrahman B., were released under a ban on travelling abroad. The court considered the time they had already spent in detention and the fact that evidence had been collected.

The case involves 23 defendants in total, eight of whom are in custody and one is a fugitive. Company and municipal officials are among those on trial. The fifth hearing took place at the Kandıra Penal Execution Institution.

“People were burning alive while money was withdrawn from Altay Ali Oransal's account on the day of the incident.”

Families of the victims protested the release decision by striking tables in the courtroom for about one minute. They stated that they are complainants against all defendants.

A witness named Ömer K. testified that he visited the Ravive facility about one month before the fire with Deputy Inspection Director N.B. He said they met Kurtuluş Oransal and were told the operating licence was kept in the accounting department rather than at the workplace.

The court ordered the preparation of a negligence report and awaited a previously requested report on financial ties between Ravive and LYKEE cosmetic companies. The hearing was adjourned.