Front Page Headlines
Benefits for big companies, suffering for the public
Residents of İskele (Trikomo) who spoke to Yenidüzen say they fear that their area will be transformed into a concrete jungle as has been the case with Kyrenia and Famagusta. The residents say that the authorities have allowed for development to go ahead so that businesspersons may benefit. The locals want any construction development to be orderly, well-planned and regulated.
Altınbaş arrested, Akacan sentenced, the trial of Akacan’s father who fainted continues.
The court ordered prominent businessman Vakkas Altınbaş to remain in police custody for three more days while his son-in-law Bulut Akacan and his body g-guards were sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty in a separate case involving aggravated assault. Akacan’s father who was arrested with Altınbaş and his associates over a real estate scandal concerning property in Kyrenia fainted in court. He was taken to hospital but later released on bail pending trial.
Members of the Altınbaş family will remain in custody
The court ordered that five of the seven suspects including businessman Vakkas Altinbas, who were arrested on charges forgery, submitting forged documents and obtaining property under false pretences remain in police custody for three more days. Two of the suspects were released on bail pending trial.
Prison, hospital and the jailhouse
The Akacan and Altınbaş families had a difficult day in court yesterday. Bulut Akacan was sentenced to two years in prison. While his father Mehmet Akacan was released on bail, his father-in-law Vakkas Altınbaş was remanded in police custody for another three days. Family members, including Mehmet Akacan, fainted from shock and were taken to hospital.
Family members had a fit
While the court ordered prominent businessman Vakkas Altınbaş to remain in custody for another three days, his son-in-law Bulut Akacan and his two bodyguards were sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty in another case involving assault.
Akacan gets two years
Those involved in the incident of aggravated assault were punished by being sent to jail for two years. The sentence was one of the longest given in our legal history for such an incident. The Girne District Court sentenced Bulut Akacan, Vasif Kurbanov and Orçun Özorçun to two years in prison. Family members fainted as the sentence was announced. Akacan’s mother was taken to hospital.
Main News
Erdoğan says EU talks may end over Cyprus sanctions
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, EU Matters, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday the European Union’s (EU) decision to sanction Turkey over drilling off the coast of Cyprus could disrupt talks with the bloc.
EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed to impose economic sanctions on Ankara for violating South Cyprus‘ maritime economic zone by drilling off the island.
Turkey, a formal candidate to join the EU despite worsening ties, criticised the decision, stating that it will continue to drill in the Eastern Mediterranean because it is operating on its continental shelf or in areas which have been licensed by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.
Speaking in Ankara before departing for Washington, Erdoğan slammed the EU’s decision and said Turkey was acting in line with its rights based on international law.
“Hey EU, know this: Turkey is not one of those countries you have come to know until now. We are a country that sits at the negotiating table with you…” Erdogan told reporters. “These negotiations may suddenly end.” “Do not try to threaten Turkey over developments in Cyprus,” Erdogan added.
KEY ACTORS
Erdoğan (Turkey)
>> EU’s decision to sanction Turkey over hydrocarbon drilling could disrupt talks with the bloc.
>> Turkey will continue to drill in the East Med as it is operating on its continental shelf or areas licensed by the TC side.
>> Turkey acting in line with int. law.
>> Do not threaten Turkey over developments in Cyprus.
Uncertainty continues over Özersay’s candidacy
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The Peoples’ Party (HP) will announce whether or not it will nominate a candidate for the forthcoming 2020 presidential election in a month, the HP’s General Secretary Yenal Senin said on Tuesday during a news programme he attended.
“The party will listen to all views and the party assembly will make the final decision,” Senin said.
He also ruled out the possibility of the collapse of the current coalition government due to the 2020 election.
“We don’t have the luxury of putting the people through such a crisis. The country’s economy requires stability. I’m not sure if the country can take another early election. It seems early elections are not on the cards for the near future,” he said.
The HP General Secretary said that every member of the party had an equal say on the matter.
Senan said that the party leader Kudret Özersay was the strongest candidate for the job both with his skills as a diplomat and experience as a negotiator.
He pointed out Özersay was the first foreign minister in the history of the country who was so active.
“He is a foreign minister who puts forward arguments, holds foreign contacts, takes initiatives on the hydrocarbons issue and who took steps on Maraş (Varosha). We have a foreign minister who takes on initiatives with the South to cooperate and the public sees this,” he added.
Senan also complained that a smearing campaign had been launched against Özersay and his possible nomination.
Turkey continues naval exercise in East Med
Kıbrıs Postası
External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The Eastern Mediterranean 2019 Invitation Exercise – hosted by Turkey with the participation of 15 countries, 47 ships and 4,700 personnel – is continuing on its fourth day, Kıbrıs Postası reported on Wednesday.
The multinational military exercise, which is organized every other year by the Turkish Naval Forces Command (TNFC) and is celebrating its 22nd year, started on Sunday.
The exercise is expected to last 12 days.
In addition to Turkey’s navy, the naval forces of the U.S., Pakistan, Canada, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Greece and Spain are participating in the drill.
Yankı Bağcıoğlu, the head of navy operations, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the current drill had the highest level of participation compared to any other exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Bağcıoğlu also said that the Turkish navy was increasing its capabilities in the region with contributions from its domestic military industry.