Ersin Tatar

Christodoulides reveals 14 CBMs for Turkish Cypriots

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Christodoulides reveals 14 CBMs for Turkish Cypriots

President Nikos Christodoulides has announced a set of confidence-building measures aimed at improving the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots. One of the main measures is to grant citizenship to the children of a Turkish Cypriot and a Turkish parent. Other measures include enhancing the ‘Green Line Trade’ facility and implementing various social and economic initiatives. These measures are seen as significant gestures towards the Turkish Cypriots and could help in resolving the Cyprus problem. However, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has described the measures as “full of traps.” The measures will be implemented in line with national law, international law, and the European Union (EU) acquis.

Tatar denies mafia bribery link

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Tatar denies mafia bribery link

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has denied involvement in a million bribery scandal involving Turkey’s former vice-president Fuat Oktay. Investigative journalist Cevheri Guven published allegations that Tatar acted as a mediator in the bribery of Oktay by businessman Halil Falyali, who had alleged ties to the mafia and was murdered in February 2022. The accusations are based on an audio recording where Falyali’s former associate claims that Falyali’s family paid million to Oktay for immunity to their assets in Turkey. Tatar has ordered a police investigation into the reports and distanced himself from the matter. Falyali had been linked to questionable connections with figures within the Turkish government and was involved in an alleged international cocaine trafficking ring. He gained massive wealth through gaming and virtual betting and was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in February 2022.