Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot media reported that a Direct Democracy party candidate in the Kyrenia district was convicted in a drug-related case in the north. Candidate Valery Tarapai confirmed the substance of the reports in comments to Phileleftheros.
Reports on 2017 arrest and conviction
According to Turkish Cypriot media reports, Tarapai was arrested in May 2017 along with another individual for transporting drugs to the north.
A report by Turkish Cypriot newspaper Gundem Kibris said Tarapai was found with 170 grammes of cannabis, drug-processing equipment and €700 believed to have come from drug sales. The report said Tarapai and co-defendant Sofoklis Mavroskoufi were caught at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point while attempting to transport drugs by car.
The reports said both admitted during questioning to importing a total of 236 grammes of cannabis into the north on multiple occasions. They were described as acting as couriers, transporting drugs on at least two occasions in exchange for significant sums of money, and were reportedly sentenced by a Turkish Cypriot court to three years in prison.
Tarapai’s response
Speaking to Phileleftheros, Tarapai said she served a two-year prison sentence and was later released due to good behaviour. She also said she does not recognise the legal framework in the north, stating that “We do not recognise the laws in the occupied areas because they do not align with the laws of the EU and the Republic of Cyprus.”
Tarapai acknowledged wrongdoing while also describing the case as an injustice against her. “I made a mistake, but I was not protected as a young person who had no prior issues with the law. I was not given a second chance,” she said.
Political reaction and party response
The issue prompted a reaction from Diko leader Nicolas Papadopoulos, who alleged in a social media post that the Direct Democracy party’s candidate list also includes individuals linked to other serious cases. He referred to a person under investigation for obtaining money by false representations and another accused of defrauding investors during the stock market period.
“These are the new standards we were promised? Are these the people who will decide the future of our children?” Papadopoulos said.
The Direct Democracy party has not publicly responded to the allegations.
What do you think political parties should disclose about candidates’ past convictions when presenting their election lists?
