Adiyaman, Turkey - A Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced the owner and architect of a hotel that collapsed during last year's devastating earthquake, resulting in the deaths of 72 people, including 26 members of a school volleyball team from northern Cyprus.

The Grand Isias Hotel in Adiyaman crumbled during the February 2023 earthquake that claimed over 55,000 lives across Turkey.

Hotel owner Ahmet Bozkurt was sentenced to 18 years and five months in prison, while his son Mehmet Fatih Bozkurt and architect Erdem Yilmaz received 17 years and four months and 18 years and five months, respectively, for "causing the death or injury of more than one person through conscious negligence."

The collapse of the hotel, which lacked necessary permits, drew widespread criticism of the Turkish government.

Following the verdict, Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel expressed disappointment, stating that the sentences were too lenient and that his government would appeal the decision to a higher court.

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