Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has issued a heartfelt statement on the opening day of the trial concerning public officials accused of negligence in the collapse of the Grand İsias Hotel in Adıyaman, which claimed the lives of 72 people, including members of the Champion Angels volleyball team, during the February 6, 2023 earthquakes.

In his message, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stressed the enduring emotional weight of the tragedy. “We have never forgotten our Champion Angels who lost their lives in the disaster of the century,” he said. “Since that day, the pain we carry is not only about loss, but also about the pursuit of justice.”

Underscoring the importance of the trial, Üstel described it as more than a legal process: “This is not merely a prosecution—it is a sacred struggle where the conscience of society finds a voice and where our children’s names are honored through justice.”

Though unable to attend the hearing in person, the Prime Minister assured the public of his unwavering support.

“Physically I may not be present, but my heart is with you. I wholeheartedly support your struggle, your patience, and your determination,” he stated.

“Everyone who neglected their public duty must be held accountable with the highest sense of responsibility before the law. I stand with you until the end. I bow in respect before the memory of our Champion Angels and all those we lost, and I reiterate my commitment to walk alongside you until justice is served.”