Firm fined for cutting electricity of siblings who committed suicide due to poverty

Duvar English

Turkey's energy market regulatory authority (EPDK) has slapped an electricity distribution company with a fine of 888,397 Turkish Liras (roughly $150,645) for cutting the electricity of an Istanbul apartment flat that made the headlines in November after four siblings were found dead in it in a suspected suicide case.

EPDK president Mustafa Yılmaz said that they found the company CK Boğaziçi Elektrik as the “primary negligent party” in an investigation that they launched in the aftermath of the incident. He said that apart from the fine, the company was also given a “warning.”

The issue concerns the death of siblings -- aged between 48 and 60 -- in an apartment flat in the Fatih district. The police reports suggested that the siblings, who were living together, died of cyanide consumption.

Suspected suicide of four siblings amid period of economic difficulties

Media reports at the time said the siblings were depressed due to having financial problems and their electricity was cut off due to months of unpaid bills.

Yılmaz said the EPDK has been always telling electricity distribution companies to be “sensitive and meticulous while giving service to the citizens.”

“Otherwise, we tell them, 'If you make the customer upset, we will also make you upset.' The painful incident that happened on Nov. 6 and then finding out that the relevant dwelling's electricity was cut off have wounded us all deeply. We could not have stayed indifferent [to the incident] and just be observers,” he said.

Yılmaz also said that their investigation into the relevant company is a “message given to the whole energy sector.” “Everyone who is working in this sector – from executives to personnel on the field – is required to act responsibly. I hope that such an incident does not happen again,” he said.