Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot ‘parliament speaker’ Ziya Ozturkler faced opposition criticism on Tuesday, including calls to resign, following a court allegation that he conspired to pressure university employees to issue degree certificates under false pretences.
Opposition demands resignation
CTP ‘MP’ Erkut Sahali called on Ozturkler to relinquish his duties, saying the “fake diploma scandal” has “cast suspicion on all universities and damaged the reputation of the TRNC”.
Sahali said Ozturkler’s promise on Monday that he would resign and waive immunity if substantial allegations are brought was “insufficient in the face of an allegation made by a witness who gave sworn testimony before a judge”.
He said the statement was made in court by a prosecution witness under the guarantee of the chief public prosecutor’s office and “cannot be dismissed as mere slander”.
Sahali argued that if Ozturkler remains in his role, he could be considered to be “in a position to influence the outcome of the case”, and said even Tuesday’s session at the Turkish Cypriot legislature “cannot be considered to be without risk” given the claim.
He said the allegations, along with past and future events, would lead to more names being discussed publicly, adding that Ozturkler has an obligation to take steps to reach a conclusion on the matter.
Sahali also said that in the north’s chain of command, the ‘parliament speaker’ assumes the responsibilities of the Turkish Cypriot leader when the leader leaves Cyprus, calling it “an extremely responsibility”.
“We respect the presumption of innocence, but the allegations and statements made by a witness brought by the chief public prosecutor’s office constitute reasonable suspicion, as far as we concerned,” Sahali said. “Therefore, Ziya Ozturkler has a responsibility to resign from his position.”
Ozturkler responds and cites complaint
Ozturkler said his lawyer has filed a criminal complaint against the witness who made the accusation, former secretary-general of Morphou’s Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) Serdal Gunduz.
Ozturkler noted that Gunduz was jailed last year for his role in the fake diploma scandal.
“Are we going to act based on the reputation of someone who received a 15-year jail sentence and has been convicted on hundreds of counts?” Ozturkler said. He added that he has stated what he will do if there is proof and a criminal complaint regarding what was alleged against him.
What impact do you think the ongoing fake diploma scandal will have on trust in the north’s universities?