Turkish Cypriot independent MP Hasan Tosunoglu has revealed that his son, Cenk Tosunoglu, was arrested by the Republic of Cyprus police while attempting to cross from the north at a designated point. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, and details surrounding the arrest remain unclear.
- The Cyprus Mail has reached out to the police for confirmation regarding Cenk Tosunoglu's arrest and is awaiting a response.
Hasan Tosunoglu expressed his concerns regarding the motives behind his son’s detention, suggesting that it may be part of a broader political tactic. “My understanding is that some sort of attrition tactic is being employed. They are clearly trying to sacrifice an innocent young man’s freedom for political gain that has nothing to do with him,” he stated.
The situation has raised eyebrows, especially following a recent resolution passed by the north’s parliament advocating for a two-state solution to the ongoing Cyprus problem, which Hasan Tosunoglu supported. He has called for the swift rectification of what he termed a “grave mistake” amid a lack of reliable information about the circumstances of his son’s arrest.
The Cyprus Mail has reached out to the police for confirmation regarding Cenk Tosunoglu’s arrest and is awaiting a response.
This is not the first time the Tosunoglu family has faced legal troubles this year. Earlier, Hasan’s other son, Ugur Tosunoglu, was arrested by Turkish Cypriot police on charges of document forgery linked to a tender for a new central bank building in the north. Ugur was accused of “putting into circulation cancelled or expired documents” and “attempting to gain money by fraud.”
During a court hearing about Ugur’s case, police representative Ugur Yildiran disclosed that Ugur had participated in the tender process based on a letter from the tax office stating he had no debts, while in reality, he owed around 13 million TL (approximately €350,000). Following Ugur’s arrest, police conducted searches of his home and accounting office, seizing evidence, including a tender participation declaration and numerous potentially fraudulent invoices.
Hasan Tosunoglu defended his son’s actions, claiming that the Turkish Cypriot taxpayer benefited significantly from the tender, which was awarded at a lower price than anticipated. “Apparently, some people were disturbed by this situation,” he remarked, suggesting that there were ulterior motives behind the legal actions taken against his family.
This series of events has not only cast a shadow over the Tosunoglu family but also placed them at the centre of political contention. Hasan’s earlier heated outburst during a television interview, where he lost his temper and made inflammatory remarks, has added further complexity to the narrative. Despite offering to resign from his position as an MP, his resignation was not accepted, leaving him to continue in his role as an independent following his departure from the ruling coalition party.
