investigation

Paphos police bust document forging ring

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Paphos police bust document forging ring

Police in Paphos busted a document forging ring, arresting three individuals involved in receiving forged documents sent from Turkey. A 41-year-old man was apprehended receiving a package containing a forged Greek and Bulgarian driving licence. Later, two others, aged 45 and 36, were arrested after receiving a package with a forged Cypriot residence permit. All documents were hidden in polystyrene. The suspects are accused of conspiracy to commit a felony and forgery. The investigation is ongoing.

Three arrested for Ayia Napa hotel armed robbery

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Three arrested for Ayia Napa hotel armed robbery

Police arrested three men aged 25, 23, and 22 for an armed robbery in an Ayia Napa hotel, where they are accused of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery, and common assault. The arrests followed reports of three people being attacked with bats by a group of around 12 people in a hotel room, during which money was stolen. The police investigation is ongoing.

Theologian testifies in ongoing monastery scandal

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Theologian testifies in ongoing monastery scandal

Theodoros Kyriacou, a theologian, provided testimony regarding a sexual harassment complaint against the head of Osiou Avakoum monastery, filed by a former employee. Kyriacou was called by the police to give a statement about the allegations. The complainant had approached Kyriacou in early March through the NGO Accept LGBTI to share his story. Kyriacou described the complainant as a vulnerable person and refuted claims of the victim making contradictory statements. Accept LGBTI advised the complainant to seek advice from mental health professionals. The Holy Synod committee is investigating the allegations but has not disclosed whether the accused monks have been called to testify. Father Eleftherios, a committee representative, stated that no announcements would be made about the investigation until it is concluded. The police have also refrained from commenting on the case, which has seen no arrests in sixteen days.

Cyta defends data centre plans in House committee meeting

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Cyta defends data centre plans in House committee meeting

Telecommunications company Cyta is conducting a study on establishing a new data centre, with interest from ten companies. Cyta aims to find a strategic partner for the project, holding a 51% stake. An initial feasibility study was conducted but withdrawn for further scrutiny. Cyta approached 39 companies, with eight initially showing interest. The project focuses on sustainable development, including renewable energy sources. The Auditor General described Cyta as a healthy organization but criticized the previous board and highlighted issues with a submarine data cable project involving political connections. Cyta withdrew from this project due to changed financing terms, denying any political influence.

North , ‘ministry’ requests suspension of bailed civil servant

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North , ‘ministry’ requests suspension of bailed civil servant

The north’s ‘interior ministry’ requested the suspension of Meray Durust from her civil servant post due to her being on bail for allegedly forging documents. Durust had been working as the director of the north’s ‘labour ministry’ until her arrest with her husband, former ‘education minister’ Kemal Durust, in February over accusations of obtaining a false degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University in Morphou. After her arrest, ‘labour minister’ Sadik Gardiyanoglu announced Durust was given a new public sector role in the Morphou District Governor’s office. Additionally, two relatives of Ersin Tatar’s bodyguard, Serif Avcil, also arrested in the same investigation, were found in possession of certificates from KSTU, with one having a degree certificate from a four-year undergraduate program. Both were remanded in custody for a day. Avcil, who appeared in court, claimed to have lost his phone on the way to the police station after being contacted to appear.

‘, A very big and increasing presence of Israeli businesses in Cyprus’

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‘, A very big and increasing presence of Israeli businesses in Cyprus’

The Israel Tax Authority (ITA) is investigating Israeli assets in Cyprus due to the increasing presence of Israeli businesses on the island. Cyprus’ finance ministry and accounting associations acknowledge this growth. Finance ministry spokesperson Michalis Papadopoulos stated that the ITA’s operation is a result of the increased presence of Israeli nationals in Cyprus but clarified that Cyprus is not directly involved in the operation. The head of the accountants’ association, Nikos Chimarides, mentioned the significant presence of Israeli businesses in sectors like fintech, investment, real estate, and foreign exchange trading in Cyprus and noted that these businesses do pay their taxes in Cyprus. However, he also highlighted the absence of a double tax treaty between Cyprus and Israel, which has been a longstanding issue. The ITA’s operation is part of a wider campaign against tax evasion and the black economy in Israel. The investigation involves analyzing travel patterns of businesspeople between Cyprus and Italy, examining offshore companies linked to Israelis, and leveraging information sharing agreements with several countries. It is estimated that between 10,000 to 20,000 Israelis reside in Cyprus.

Fake diplomas scandal in north spreads to military

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Fake diplomas scandal in north spreads to military

The Turkish Cypriot community is facing a scandal involving fake university diplomas and corruption, which has now affected the security forces’ command. Lieutenant Colonel Özgür Alp was remanded in custody for using a fake diploma for promotion within the Turkish military. The fake diploma was claimed to be from the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University in Morphou. A high-ranking police officer, Serif Avcil, was also arrested over a fake diploma. This scandal is part of larger issues involving the KSTU university in Morphou, with allegations of embezzlement and fraud through fake student registrations and diplomas. The university is owned by Levent Uysal, a deputy in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Celebi Ilik, involved in the scandal, used fake diplomas for civil service promotions and is facing charges related to forgery. Uysal attempted to obtain a €45 million loan from Swiss IntaCapital bank with fake documents in 2022 but avoided judicial proceedings by getting elected to parliament in May 2023. Turgay Avci, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot higher education watchdog Yodak, is under investigation for possibly having a fake diploma. There are also allegations against Dunya Baris Universitesi for operating illegally and investigations into irregularities in a real estate purchase by Altinbas Holding. Ali Altınbaş and Sofu Altınbaş were detained in September 2020 for involvement in a fuel profiteering network and accused of establishing a criminal organisation, aggravated fraud, and forgery.

Police scrutinising CCTV footage from Saint Habakkuk Monastery

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Police scrutinising CCTV footage from Saint Habakkuk Monastery

– CCTV footage from the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk is central to a growing scandal.
– The footage and a safe with potentially incriminating material are affecting three police investigations.
– The video surveillance system was installed with the monks’ knowledge but reportedly lacked audio recording capabilities, and access was restricted to a few individuals.
– Lawyers allege that an individual, formerly affiliated with the Tamassos Bishopric, enabled audio recording, which might explain the monks’ behavior in front of the cameras.
– The footage is being processed by a police unit specializing in financial crimes and will be used in investigations into allegations against certain individuals, including Bishop Isaias.
– Citizens have complained about the release of videos containing personal information, prompting potential investigation by the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection.
– The Police Sub-Department for vulnerable persons is investigating a harassment complaint, focusing on an ethical issue.
– The situation at the Monastery is under thorough investigation by the police.

27-year-old, ’s death ‘may have been caused by fight’

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27-year-old, ’s death ‘may have been caused by fight’

A 27-year-old man named Onur Kayabasi died in Kyrenia on Sunday, and his death may have been caused by a physical altercation he was involved in the previous week. An autopsy indicated that a blow to the abdominal region, resulting in a blood clot in one of his organs, might have caused his death. The altercation occurred on March 13 when Kayabasi and another man had a verbal argument that escalated, leading to Kayabasi being hit over the head and kicked in the abdominal area. Kayabasi sought medical attention for abdominal pain on March 14 but was later discharged. The man involved in the altercation with Kayabasi was arrested and remanded in custody for three days.

Massive bug sighted: keep your toes out of the water

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Massive bug sighted: keep your toes out of the water

Scientists have identified a giant water bug, known as the toe-biter, along the shores of Cyprus. This species, which inhabits lakes and slow-moving freshwater, had not been previously recorded on the island but is known in neighboring Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Israel. A team of scientists from various institutions in Cyprus, led by Michalis Hadjikosnstantis of the Cyprus Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Protection Society, Yiakoumis Giortzis from the agriculture ministry, and Kadir Boğaç Kunt from the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, are studying the species. Their findings were published in the journal Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle Grigore Antipa. The giant water bug is the largest true bug and water insect in Europe, with a diameter of up to 12 cm, and is known for delivering painful bites. Sightings of the bug on the eastern coast of Cyprus were reported in late spring and summer of 2020 and 2021, with a total of seven sightings recorded: five from social media and two after direct communication with the researchers. Two samples were taken and morphologically examined to verify the species. The sudden appearance of the species in Cyprus may be linked to migratory events from neighboring countries or environmental factors. Further investigation is required to determine if the species has become established on the island.