Unrest as Turkey begins Soma mine disaster trial

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/13/unrest-as-turkey-begins-soma-mine-disaster-trial

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Relatives of 301 miners killed in Turkey’s worst industrial disaster have disrupted the start of a trial of 45 company officials, forcing a delay to proceedings with demands for the main suspects to be brought to the dock.

Eight defendants including the chief executive and the general manager of mine company Soma Kömür Işletmeleri are charged with probable voluntary manslaughter and could face up to 25 years in prison for each victim, after an underground fire in Soma, western Turkey, last May. Thirty-seven other people face lesser charges.

The trial was paused almost immediately after lawyers for the victims argued that the eight – who were to give evidence via videolink for their own security – had to appear in person at the court. Following angry scenes in which police in riot gear were called in, the judge agreed and the case was adjourned until Wednesday.

“Bring the killers here and have them look at us in the eye,” shouted one of the relatives inside the courtroom.

Earlier, hundreds of relatives and protesters marched through the town of Akhisar, where the trial is being held, demanding harsh sentences. Some wore mining helmets painted black and carrying the names of the deceased.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic party leader Selahattin Demirtas, who was among the politicians and union members observing the case, told reporters that politicians should be tried.

“There is not a single politician sitting in the defendants’ seats. Justice can never be fully delivered unless the court takes into account the responsibility of politicians,” he said.

The mine disaster triggered mass demonstrations last year, with critics saying the government was too close to industry bosses and was insensitive in its response to the tragedy.

The US-based Human Rights Watch advocacy group has welcomed the trial as a step towards justice but has also called for an investigation into state officials for failing to oversee safety measures at the mine.

On Monday the court demanded that it be informed of any possible investigation into state employees who may be responsible for the disaster, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported.

Inspection reports said the coal had been smouldering for days before the disaster on 13 May, releasing toxic gases. Survivors have complained of poor working and safety conditions inside the mine, including a lack of gas masks.

The trial is being held in a cultural centre in Akhisar that has been temporarily turned into a court.