Veli Gocer arrested

Building promoter, who escaped as hundreds died under the unsafe houses he constructed, arrested in Istanbul


Turkish police yesterday detained the owner of a building company accused of having caused hundreds of deaths in Aug., 17 earthquake through faulty construction work.
A mandate for the arrest of Veli Gocer, owner of Gocer agency, was issued more than 10 days ago.
An apartment complex that he built in Yalova on the Southern coast of the Sea of Marmara, was destroyed in the earthquake.
Hundreds of bodies were found in the wreckage of the building, however Gocer had denied the accusations, saying his buildings respected norms laid down by local authorities.
According to experts, many disregarded safety regulations, used inadequate or even illegal materials and refused to heed warnings about local geological conditions.
Hundreds of building companies are being taken to court in areas ravaged by the earthquake, after the Ministry of Justice simplified the process of lodging a suit.