President Ersin Tatar holds online video call with Ruşen Karakaya, Chairperson of the Champion Angels Preservation Association and its members, who are in Adıyaman for the İsias hotel court hearing
"We believe and trust that justice will be served"
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President Ersin Tatar has held a video call with Ruşen Karakaya, Chairperson of the Champion Angels Preservation Association and its members, who are paying a visit to Adıyaman, Türkiye, for the continuing İsias hotel court hearing.
The President, who expressed his greetings from the TRNC, stated his "belief and trust that justice will be served".
"It is our sincere wish that the legal proceedings continue as planned," President Tatar said. "You, the families who lost their children and loved ones, are not alone in this fight for justice. The legal case which is continuing also concerns our country, who are continuing to mourne the great loss of our students and coaches, following the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye on February 6, 2023," President Tatar said.
"I wish to reiterate that the Champion Angels will forever live in our hearts," he added.
Stressing that he wants "justice to be served for our children", President Tatar said: "I believe our Angels are watching us and they are witnessing the struggle taking place. We trust and believe that justice will be served."
Underlining that Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, numerous politicians, families and civil society representatives are also in Adıyaman for the legal proceedings, President Tatar stated that "we will continue to do everything possible for justice to be served".
Stating that all endeavours are being made to keep the names of the Champion Angels alive, President Tatar said: "Tens of thousands of People lost their lives, that included our Champion Angels. February 6 will be remembered as a day of devastation for both Türkiye and the TRNC."
Pointing out that the Champion Angels were in Adıyaman to represent their country in a basketball tournament, President Tatar emphasised that the "officials and State organs representing the TRNC were speedily at the scene, following the earthquakes, where our units participated in search and rescue efforts".
President Tatar stated that the "unity, solidarity and efforts for the Champion Angels in Adıyaman have been forever engraved in Turkish Cypriot history".
President Tatar wished patience and tolerance to the bereaved families, adding: "We share your pain and loss. The whole country shares this loss and is behind you in your struggle for justice, which we hope will prevail."
In her speech, Ruşen Karakaya expressed her gratitude to the President for his continuing support to them.
Stating that an "expert report has not been prepared in time for the hearing," Mrs. Karakaya said: "We will pass through a difficult 3-4 months period ahead. We are awaiting a new date to be disclosed for the next court hearing."
Pointing out the importance of the support of the state authorities, Mrs. Karakaya said: "We made a promise to our Champion Angels and we shall keep our promise. We will together witness the day when justice is served. We have to see it, otherwise our children will not forgive us.’’