The family of a young Pakistani student who died after being struck by a drunk driver are seeking justice in order to be able to mourn his death properly, Yeniduzen reports.
Naveed Akbar, a university student, fell victim to driver Mehmet Eren Erdoğan, who had 143 ml of alcohol in his system, while seated on a bench in Gemikonağı. Naveed’s companion was injured but it was Naveed who bore the brunt of the accident and died later on in hospital. Recently, Akbar was buried in his home country, and meanwhile his family began seeking closure.
This arose because Akbar’s suspected killer, a member of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), was swiftly ‘extradited’ to Turkey.
The Turkish Ambassador to Nicosia and the Police General Directorate announced that Erdoğan was detained by the Ankara Magistrate’s Court, but did not disclose any details about the proceedings.
Erdoğan being tried in Turkey instead of Cyprus has sparked concerns about a “fair trial.” Yeniduzen looked into which agreement allowed the suspect to be taken to Turkey for trial.
According to the “Memorandum of Understanding Signed at the Turkish Embassy on March 16, 1999, between the KTBK Command and TRNC Authorities,” a TSK soldier can only be tried in Turkey if the crime is committed while on duty.
However, Erdoğan caused Akbar’s death due to dangerous driving while travelling with his girlfriend in his personal vehicle after consuming alcohol.
Legal sources informed Yeniduzen that Erdoğan, who caused Akbar’s death and was extradited to Turkey without being tried in Cyprus because of his “soldier” status, falls outside the scope of the protocol with Turkey since he committed the crime “while off duty.” Thus, he should be tried in Cyprus.
Yeniduzen’s research indicates that many TSK soldiers have been tried and convicted in North Cyprus for crimes committed outside their duty areas or periods.
The hasty extradition of Erdoğan to Turkey, contrary to the agreement, has become a matter of curiosity.
Examples of TSK members tried in North Cyprus for various crimes include:
A TSK member who committed armed robbery faced seven charges
In March 2014, TSK member Mustafa Ersen Yılmazer entered a small grocery store in Güzelyurt, brandished a gun, and stole all the money from the register before fleeing. He was quickly arrested and faced seven charges in the Nicosia Assize Court.
A soldier was arrested for “importation of obscene materials and creating the likelihood of public disturbance”.
Communications Specialist Sergeant Ahmet Bademlik was tried in a lower court in Nicosia in May 2014 for “importation of obscene materials and disturbance.”
A soldier caused a traffic accident by speeding
Sergeant Major İsmail Koçak caused a traffic accident in 2014 by driving carelessly and negligently. Police found that he was driving at excessive speed, without insurance, registration, inspection, or a driving licence. Fortunately, no one died. Koçak was tried by the Famagusta Prosecution.
A careless TSK member caused a traffic accident
Senior Sergeant Hakan Köse caused a traffic accident in January 2014 by driving without due care. The accident report indicated that he failed to “keep to the left as much as possible” and was driving an uninspected and unlicensed vehicle. He was tried by the Kyrenia Prosecution.
Questions have also been raised in parliament by the main opposition party CTP as who why the soldier is not being tried in North Cyprus and why he was spirited away to Turkey.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Nicosia, Metin Feyzioğlu, regarding the accident that occurred in Gemikonağı on June 15, stated in his post on social media that the case process is being closely followed by the Turkish and TRNC authorities.
