Front Page Headlines
He will serve a 28-year prison sentence
Fevzi Şanverdi who stabbed and killed Hasan Polat Sepetcioğlu after arguing with him while under the influence of alcohol will serve a long prison sentence.
- War named ‘Peace’ starts – Turkish Armed Forces launched military operation into Syria. Erdoğan: “Syrian refugees will be able to return to their home country and Syria’s territorial integrity will be preserved. We shall free the people of the area from the grip of terrorism.”
“I called to make an appointment 30 times but no one picked up the phone”
Health Minister Ali Pilli confesses that the appointment system at the state hospitals does not work properly. Pilli, who said the problem will be solved in October, promised to establish a new system soon.
- Operation Peace Spring commences: Terror targets being eliminated in northern Syria.
- Erhürman: Supporting Akıncı is one member’s opinion not a group.
- UBP general secretary Saner: “UBP has not decided on its candidate for the presidency as of today.”
28 years imprisonment for murdering his friend
Kyrenia Criminal Court announced its verdict for Fevzi Şanverdi who murdered Hasan Polat Sepetçioğlu at a children’s playground opposite from the Liman (Harbour) Casino in Kyrenia.
- Terror targets struck – Turkey’s operation ‘Peace Spring’ commenced with the aim of bringing peace and stability to Turkey’s southern border by removing the corridor for terrorists.
Turkey at war
Turkey launches offensive to create a “safe zone” in Syria. This is the biggest military operation since the 1974 Cyprus operation. It is named “Peace Spring”.
- Three-year prison sentence to set a precedent – Nicosia Criminal Court announced the verdict for Özgün Livaneli, who was caught smuggling drugs from the south.
He’s waiting for a decision
Özersay says he won’t be running for president if he thinks he doesn’t stand a chance of winning. He says his party is currently evaluating the issue. Özersay asks who will run the government if he and Prime Minister Ersin Tatar both become candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections.
- Joint stance – South Cyprus, Greece and Egypt condemned Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and its military operation in Syria at a joint summit in Cairo.
- First F-16s hit targets –The ‘Peace Spring’ operation aimed at the east of the Euphrates was launched following instructions from President Erdoğan.
No
They named the operation “Peace Spring” this time. Turkey launched its invasion of northern Syria by bombarding targets with its jets. Late last night it was announced that ground troops had advanced into Syria. Kobani, which became a heroic standing ground five years ago against ISIS was also bombed. According to initial reports, there are civilian casualties and wounded.
Main News
Erhürman:Unfair to keep restrictions on TCs
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman said on Wednesday that no one should expect the restrictions on the economic activities of Turkish Cypriots to remain in place in the event the Cyprus Problem remains unresolved.
He argued that authorized bodies and institutions of the European Union (EU) should take decisions based on the realities.
In a post on social media, the CTP leader said that Turkish Cypriot MPs were meeting with groups in the European Parliament ahead of the debate to be held on the Direct Trade Regulation at the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.
“The information we have received is that several Greek Cypriot party leaders are trying to get the regulation removed from the agenda. We shall continue to demonstrate our will for a solution to the Cyprus Problem at every platform. However, in the event we fail to reach a comprehensive solution, no one should expect the restrictions on the economic activities of Turkish Cypriots to remain in place. The authorized bodies of the EU need to produce decisions on the basis of realities on the ground and our MPs will continue to work in that direction,” he said.
In the meantime, Erhürman evaluated the results of Sunday’s CTP general congress on a programme on Genç TV on Tuesday night.
He said that he was pleased to see younger members elected into the party assembly but added that there were also experienced veterans.
“We created a good mosaic. I was saddened to see that some of my friends were not elected but ultimately the result that emerged was the will of the congress,” he added.
Asked whether or not he was considering running for president, Erhürman refrained from commenting and said such a decision was up to the CTP’s authorized bodies.
“There are two viewpoints being expressed by party members. One group says I should run, the other says we should nominate another candidate. The party assembly will evaluate the issue and decide on the matter,” he said.
Erhürman said that the party would most likely produce a result by the end of October.
Erhürman also commented on a view expressed within the party that the CTP should support Akıncı for his re-election.
He said that this was the view of only one person and did not reflect the general will of the party.
“There is this general perception that younger politicians should not run for president. The presidency is not a post where you spend your retirement. It’s a place where you need to work really hard. It is the most prestigious and recognized post in the TRNC. The president has important responsiblities. Unfortunately, sometimes the value of the post is reduced through various debates,” he added.
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister and leader of the People’s Party (HP) Kudret Özersay told Diyalog on Wednesday that he might not consider running for president if he sees his chances of winning are slim.
He said that his party was still evaluating the matter.
Özersay also questioned what would become of the government if both he and Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar were both to run for president in the 2020 elections.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> Economic restrictions imposed on TCs should not be expected to remain if efforts to solve Cyprus Problem fail.
>> EU bodies & institutions should take decisions on the basis of realities on the ground.
>> CTP to continue demonstrating its will for a solution of the Cyprob at every platform.
Coalition expresses support for operation ‘Peace Spring’
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria on Wednesday against what it said were terrorist elements in the region, particularly the PKK’s Syrian affiliate, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), and ISIS, all six dailies reported on Thursday.
“The Turkish Armed Forces launched #OperationPeaceSpring alongside the Syrian National Army (SNA) against the PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorist groups in northern Syria. Our aim is to eliminate the terrorist corridor that is aimed to be established at our southern border and to bring peace to the region,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said from his social media account on Wednesday.
The Turkish president further underlined that thanks to the safe zone that is planned to be established in the aftermath of the operation, Syrian refugees will be able to return to their home country and Syria’s territorial integrity will be preserved.
The first attacks took place in Ras al-Ayn province of north-eastern Syria, where YPG bases were targeted, it was reported.
Afrika newspaper was the only daily which described the operation as an invasion of Syrian territory.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot government officials expressed support to the operation launched by the Turkish military.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, in a message published on Wednesday, said that the Turkish Cypriot people’s prayers were with the Turkish Armed Forces.
He said the TRNC supported operation “Peace Spring” which aimed to eliminate the threat of terrorism to Turkey and the world.
“The operation also aims to ensure Syrian refugees’ return to their country thanks to a safe zone in the area,” he said.
Tatar added that they believed the operation will be a success and that it will bring peace to the area by preserving Syria’s territorial integrity.
Turkish Cypriot Minister of Labour and Social Security Faiz Sucuoğlu also issued a message expressing his support to the operation.
Caught smuggling drugs from the south
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The trial of Ceren Damdelen, who was caught in possession of 26 grams of marijuana, continues, several dailies reported on Wednesday.
The police officer in charge of conducting the investigation told the Famagusta Criminal Court that police received a tip concerning Damdelen on October 5 and on the same day, the suspect was caught at the Beyarmudu (Pergamos) crossing trying to smuggle 26g of marijuana.
“The suspect confessed to her crime and said she had purchased the drug for her personal use from a Greek Cypriot for €500,” the police officer told the court.
The judge ordered the suspect to be remanded in police custody for two more days until the police completed its investigation.
The papers also reported that Nicosia Criminal Court announced the verdict for Özgün Livaneli, who was caught in possession of 159g of marijuana and 13g of cocaine brought from the south.
Livaneli had crossed into the north at the Metehan (Ayios Dometios) crossing point on 27 April 2019. He was arrested following a police chase on the same day and the drugs were found in his car.
The Nicosia Criminal Court sentenced Livaneli to three years in prison to set a precedent in view of the increasing drug-related crimes in the north.