Crime

Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

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Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

The scandal involving “fake diplomas” in the north’s education sector continues to unfold, focusing on UBP MP Emrah Yesilirmak and the authenticity of his business administration degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU). MPs in the north have immunity from criminal proceedings with certain exceptions, but this does not prevent investigations. The Cyprus Massachusetts Centre of Innovation is linked to a criminal network involving forged student visas, leading to several arrests. The north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak)’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, takes charge amid criminal proceedings against its chairman, Turgay Avci, and former board member Mehmet Hasguler, both arrested for accepting under-the-table payments during KSTU’s accreditation process. Senior judge Gokhan Asafogullari is investigating Avci’s conduct.

American man jailed for life over rape and murder of tourist near German castle

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American man jailed for life over rape and murder of tourist near German castle

An American man was sentenced to life in prison by a German court for the rape and murder of a 21-year-old tourist and the attempted murder of her 22-year-old friend, both from the U.S., near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. The attack occurred in June when the man, a 31-year-old tourist from Michigan identified as Troy B., lured the women away from a public path with the promise of a better view. He then attacked them, resulting in the death of the younger woman and severe injuries to the older one. The court found the crime to be of “particular gravity,” meaning the perpetrator will not be eligible for automatic parole after 15 years. The conviction can be appealed, and the defendant has the option to apply to serve his sentence in the U.S. Neuschwanstein Castle is a major tourist destination, attracting about 1.4 million visitors a year.

St Habakkuk: Police probe financial irregularities and abuse allegations

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St Habakkuk: Police probe financial irregularities and abuse allegations

Police are investigating a scandal at the Saint Habakkuk Monastery involving two main issues: the origin of hundreds of thousands of euros found within the monastery and serious allegations against Bishop Isaias by four monks. CID investigators are scheduled to meet with two monks to document their allegations, while the remaining two monks, implicated in the financial aspect, will also be summoned. The Economic Crime Investigation Office is examining potential financial offenses, focusing on how €800,000 in cash was accumulated, the monastery’s real estate holdings, and their acquisition. Police secured the cash and documents during urgent visits to the monastery. The case also involves accusations against Bishop Isaias of threats, assaults, and acts of violence. Additionally, two monks implicated in financial fraud were recorded engaging in sexual acts, with cameras set up to monitor an office and a bedroom within the monastery. The monastery’s website listed accounts for financial contributions from believers. Opposition party AKEL has initiated a discussion on the financial exploitation of faith and the need for legislative regulation.

Monks testifying against powerful Bishop Isaias in St Habakkuk scandal case

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Monks testifying against powerful Bishop Isaias in St Habakkuk scandal case

Two monks from the Saint Habakkuk Monastery in Fterikoudi have been called by police to provide statements regarding their allegations against the Bishop of Tamassos and Orini, Isaias, involving a scandal. They plan to submit a video and several SMS messages as evidence. The video reportedly shows individuals entering the church premises on March 5, with claims suggesting they are police officers, which the Police have denied. The SMS messages are believed to contain threats from Bishop Isaias to Archimandrite Nektarios. The monks sought legal advice to obtain authorisation for using the personal data in the evidence. One monk provided a detailed account of the events on March 5 and 6, expressing concerns for his safety. Two more monks are expected to be summoned for their testimonies. This investigation is separate from allegations made by the Bishop against the monks concerning a financial scandal.

Private investigator arrested for , ‘stalking’

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Private investigator arrested for , ‘stalking’

A private investigator was charged with stalking the person he was investigating after being hired for 90,000TL (€2,575) by a woman to find her ex-boyfriend’s new address. The investigator, who had previously worked illegally as a detective in Turkey, violated the man’s privacy and caused a disturbance by following and photographing him. The court in northern Nicosia, led by Judge Zehra Yalkut Bilgec, ordered the investigator to be held in prison for up to one month pending trial, citing his lack of ties to Cyprus and the likelihood of him committing the same crime if released.

Trafficking numbers far worse than reports suggest

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Trafficking numbers far worse than reports suggest

Cyprus is reporting a decrease in human sex trafficking, but stakeholders claim police investigations are inadequate. Androula Christophidou Henriques, founder of Cyprus Stop Trafficking NGO, criticizes the current trafficking department’s lack of initiative. Between 2019 and 2022, Cyprus had 98 trafficking victims, with 33 cases related to sexual exploitation. The closure of cabarets in 2010 and COVID-19 restrictions have reduced sex trafficking activities, according to Henriques. Rita Superman, a Disy MP and former head of the police anti-trafficking department, believes the actual number of trafficking cases is higher than reported. The interior ministry plans to intensify inspections to prevent trafficking. Concerns about underreporting and institutional racism in handling trafficking cases have been raised by Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou, who notes low prosecution numbers and inadequate victim interviews. Police cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is minimal, affecting victim support. The US Department of State’s 2023 report places Cyprus in Tier 1 for compliance with trafficking standards but notes failures in victim referral and identification. The report also highlights the vulnerability of certain groups to trafficking and the government’s shortcomings in convicting traffickers and compensating victims. Efforts to combat human sexual trafficking in Cyprus intensified after the 2010 European Court of Human Rights decision in the case of Oxana Rantseva, leading to criminalization of human trafficking in Cyprus and Russia, and changes to Cypriot visa rules.

Tamassos Bishop testifies on Saint Habakkuk scandal

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Tamassos Bishop testifies on Saint Habakkuk scandal

The Bishop of Tamassos and Orinis, Isaias, gave a deposition to the Police’s Economic Crime Investigation Office about an alleged scandal at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk in Fterikoudi, focusing on financial matters. The scandal involves the discovery of €800,000 in a safe and properties in Piraeus and Limassol, believed to be owned by two monastery members. Authorities are investigating if these funds came from donations. Two monks, implicated in the financial fraud, were also recorded engaging in sexual acts by cameras they set up. They visited the Lakatamia Police Station to file a complaint about the publicized developments but were informed that the case is under investigation.

Saint Habakkuk scandal: Bishop Isaias deposited enormous sum in bank

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Saint Habakkuk scandal: Bishop Isaias deposited enormous sum in bank

Developments on the alleged scandal at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk corroborate claims regarding a safe containing hundreds of thousands of euros at the mountain church. The stash was deposited into an account under the name of the Tamassos and Orinis Bishopric. Initial estimates suggest €800,000 was in the safe, collected through contributions from the faithful. The discovery of the safe, properties in Piraeus and Limassol believed to be owned by two members of the monastery, and the investigation into whether these funds were derived from donations are at the heart of the scandal. Two monks allegedly implicated were also captured on camera engaging in sexual acts. The monastery’s website listed accounts for various activities asking for financial backing from believers. Leaks suggest monks funneled cash to the Bishop of Tamassos and Orinis, Isaias, with some insinuating involvement in financing Isaias’s pre-election campaign for the Archbishop’s throne. Isaias lodged a formal complaint with the police against the monks for financial irregularities. The Holy Synod decided to refer the case to a six-member Ecclesiastical Court, with deliberations on whether the implicated monks should face defrocking or an immediate trial.

Woman carrying €420,000 in handbag travelled twenty times to Cyprus transporting millions

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Woman carrying €420,000 in handbag travelled twenty times to Cyprus transporting millions

A 31-year-old woman is suspected of money laundering after traveling to Cyprus twenty times in eight months, transporting nearly eight million euros. She passed through Cypriot airports without issue, declaring the money as her own for real estate purchases. The case emerged when she reported a theft of €420,000 in Limassol. Investigations led to her arrest on money laundering suspicions. She frequently traveled from Poland to Athens to Cyprus, declaring over one million euros on multiple trips, including over two million euros within 20 days in February 2024.

Govt given until 2026 to open juvenile detention centre

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Govt given until 2026 to open juvenile detention centre

The government of Cyprus has been given a deadline until the beginning of 2026 to open a juvenile detention center, as mandated by the House legal affairs committee. The committee chairman, Nikos Tornaritis, expressed dissatisfaction with the current progress and announced that young offenders would remain in a separate area of the central prison until the end of 2025. Tornaritis also highlighted the need to consider relocating the central prison away from residential areas and to build modern facilities, noting the prison’s current overcapacity and its implications for human rights. Additionally, discussions have taken place regarding the construction of new District courts in Nicosia, with a positive agreement from the government to proceed immediately.