JINHA

MANİSA – With tension mounting in Manisa province over the case of defendants on trial for the workplace neglect that caused the death of 301 workers in the Soma mine fire, the court has delayed the case until April 15.

The case, being held in a nearby town under tight security conditions, got underway with the 45 defendants' identities were being identified, although the eight defendants facing the heaviest sentences teleconferenced in for "security reasons."

At this point, the wife of one of the miners killed in the disaster stood up and interrupted the proceedings, saying "we want a just trial" and calling for the eight chief defendants to be brought to the courthouse.

"They're not here; let them come here and give an account of themselves," interrupted the observers, among a restricted crowd of first-degree relatives of the victims who were allowed into the courthouse, commenting on the suit-wearing defendants visible on video screens.

The court ruled to delay the case until Wednesday, April 15. The court is requesting that the eight defendants be brought to the courthouse.

(ht/fk/cm)