Serdal Gündüz’s lawyer, Doğa Zeki, spoke in court, pointing out serious issues with the case files and mentioning that they had filed requests regarding the evidence presented. He also stated that they were waiting for numerous files and had asked for the evidence used in the preliminary hearing.
Lawyer Zeki noted that the bail period related to the fake diploma issue had expired, but no case had been prepared. Berke Özbek’s lawyer, Hasan Yücelen, told the court that they had not yet received the necessary documents.
Senior Prosecutor Mustafa İldeniz mentioned that the case files were very complicated and noted that they had given their opinion on the two fake diploma issues, with all files expected to be ready by the end of September.
The trial was postponed to September 30, 2024, for the charges to be filed.
The defendants are facing a total of 98 charges, including fraud*, obtaining money through deceit, forging and circulating fake documents, tampering with accounts, money laundering, inciting the payment of fraudulent orders, and theft by an employee. Eight witnesses testified during the initial investigation at the Güzelyurt District Court.
*The investigation into fraudulent diplomas and other forms of financial misconduct at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) has implicated several others. Other universities in North Cyprus have also been drawn into the scandal, with multiple arrests including that of former education minister Kemal Dürüst, who was linked to KSTU. The exact number of individuals charged is still unclear, but the scandal has spread, affecting other institutions and leading to the arrest of high-ranking officials involved in the regulatory oversight of these universities.
Authorities have charged individuals with crimes such as “fraud,” “forgery of documents,” and “money laundering,” with hundreds of cases related to fake diplomas across the Turkish Cypriot higher education system. The investigation is ongoing, and more developments are expected as the inquiry into this widespread corruption continues. [Ed.]