SIVAS — 1993 · Major Tragedy
Sivas Madımak Hotel Massacre
On 2 July 1993, the Madımak Hotel in Sivas, where writers, artists and guests of the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Festival were staying, was besieged by a large crowd and set on fire. Thirty-five people died: 33 guests, including poet Metin Altıok, writer Asım Bezirci, Nesimi Çimen and Hasret Gültekin, and two hotel employees. In a trial that began at the State Security Court and was prolonged by reversals on appeal, many defendants received heavy sentences; death sentences were commuted to aggravated life imprisonment after capital punishment was abolished. Cases against fugitive defendants were dropped under the statute of limitations, drawing widespread public criticism.
- Date
- 1993
- Place
- Centre, Sivas
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 39.7490, 37.0160 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 2 July 1993The Madımak Hotel was besieged and set alight; 35 people died.
- 1994The State Security Court delivered its first verdict, later overturned on appeal.
- Late 1990sOn retrial, many defendants received heavy sentences.
- 2002Death sentences were commuted to aggravated life imprisonment.
- 2012–2023Cases against fugitive defendants were dropped under the statute of limitations.
Sources
- Cumhuriyet — Madımak davasında zamanaşımı kararı cumhuriyet.com.tr ↗
- Wikipedia — Sivas massacre en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Cumhuriyet
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.