Nicosia, Cyprus. CTP leader Sila Usar Incirli said an “atomic bomb” of corruption has been dropped on the north after a second ruling coalition ‘MP’ was accused in court of lawbreaking linked to the “fake diploma scandal”. She called for an investigation and public reporting on the allegations.
Incirli cites trial of Fatos Unal
Incirli referred to the ongoing trial of Fatos Unal, former head of the UBP Kyrenia women’s branch and a longtime close personal associate of ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel. She said, “It is like an atomic bomb has fallen on us during this trial process.”
Allegations involving Ziya Ozturkler
Incirli said allegations made in court that ‘parliament speaker’ Ziya Ozturkler aided and abetted Unal were “very important” and “very serious matters.” She said it was revealed during the trial that the fake diplomas were created as a result of Ozturkler’s “requests and pressure.”
She also said that while Ozturkler was the north’s ‘interior minister’ in 2022, a number of high-profile personnel from the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU), which issued Unal’s degree, were naturalised as ‘TRNC’ citizens.
Call for investigation and reporting
Incirli said the public needs to be informed and called on ‘prime minister’ Ustel to launch a “very serious investigation” and to provide a report.
Immunity questions and Emrah Yesilirmak case
Incirli asked whether, if the north’s chief prosecutor’s office prepares a file on Ozturkler, the ruling coalition would agree for his immunity to be lifted. She also criticised the ruling coalition’s ‘MPs’ for refusing to lift the immunity of Emrah Yesilirmak, after ‘MPs’ from the ruling coalition’s three parties denied a request from the north’s chief public prosecutor’s office.
Yesilirmak, a UBP member, also obtained a degree from KSTU, with a report written by ‘MPs’ from all parties stating that he did so “despite not attending classes and exams.” Despite this, he has not faced criminal prosecution.
Incirli said ruling coalition ‘MPs’ “raised your hands against lifting his immunity” and told them, “you prevented an MP, who is already being judged in the court of public opinion, from actually being tried.”
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