TRT Cyprus journalist arrested in fake diploma scandal
Sefa Karahasan, the Turkish public broadcaster TRT’s Cyprus correspondent, was arrested in relation to the ongoing “fake diploma scandal”.
higher education accreditation authority
Turkey to write report on fake diploma scandal
Turkey’s higher education council (Yok) is preparing a report on the state of the north’s education system in response to the “fake diploma scandal”.
Former north , ‘minister’ denies taking bribes
Ziya Ozturkler denied allegations of taking bribes from a university in relation to the ongoing “fake diploma scandal.”
North rules out amnesty for fake diplomas
Nazim Cavusoglu, the ‘education minister’ of the north, announced on Tuesday that there will be no amnesty for individuals who obtained fake diplomas without using them. He emphasized that his ministry does not support those who have committed wrongdoings and is against making any concessions in this matter. Both the government and opposition agree on the need to eliminate dishonest practices in the higher education sector. The ministry is also considering transferring fake diplomas to the police for forgery prosecutions. Opposition party CTP MP Sila Usar Incirli criticized the higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) for its inability to effectively oversee higher education and stressed the urgency of addressing the issues within the north’s higher education system, highlighting their significant impact on the country.
Tatar, ’s bodyguard ‘lost phone on way to police station’
Serif Avcil, the bodyguard of Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, claimed he lost his phone on the way to the police station, according to police sergeant Bilger Koral. Avcil was arrested and had his second court hearing where it was revealed he registered for a master’s degree at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University on June 5 last year, but the university’s records showed his enrollment date as February 2, 2022. Fake course grades were entered for Avcil, allowing him to graduate top of his class on June 19. He also claimed to not know where his diploma certificate was. Avcil was given a further six-day remand for not assisting the police by hiding evidence. Dervish Refikler, general secretary of the north’s higher education accreditation authority, was also in court for taking bribes related to the accreditation of KSTU’s medical school. Items including laptops and a diploma were seized from Refikler’s house, and he too was given a further six-day remand.
Turgay Avci resigns as Yodak chairman
– Turgay Avci resigned as chairman of the north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak) on Friday.
– Avci resigned after a scandal involving alleged forgery of diplomas and bribes in the north’s higher education sector.
– Avci and former Yodak board member Mehmet Hasguler are accused of taking under-the-table payments during the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU)’s medicine school’s application for Yodak accreditation.
– Both Avci and Hasguler were released on bail.
– Turkish Cypriot Leader Ersin Tatar had called for Avci’s resignation and instructed the north’s supreme court to fire him.
– Yodak’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, took temporary charge of the authority amid the criminal proceedings against Avci.