Front Page Headlines
Family tragedy… three dead
Geçitkale (Lefkoniko) woke up to a family tragedy yesterday (Friday). 14-year-old Çınar Çobanoğlu, his mother Bengü Çobanoğlu and his father İbrahim Çobanoğlu were found shot dead in their home. The couple’s eldest son, 18-year-old Eralp Çobanoğlu was taken into questioning at the Famagusta Police station. No official statement was made as to who committed the murder.
- Three-week lockdown in the south of Cyprus – The south of Cyprus is entering a three-week lockdown starting Sunday. A night-time curfew will be in place. During the day, people will only be able to leave their homes by sending text messages.
- Cases at hospitals are frightening. Three nurses positive, 12 nurses who came into close contact placed in quarantine.
We are shocked!
Shots fired at 3.30am in Geçitkale (Lefkoniko) claimed the lives of father İbrahim Çobanoğlu, mother Begü Çobanoğlu and 14-year-old Çınar Çobanoğlu, shocking the entire country. The couple were found dead in their bed while Çınar was found wounded in his room which he shared with his elder brother. The boy succumbed to his wounds in the hospital. The gun used in the shooting which belonged to İbrahim Çobanoğlu was found next to his son Çınar.
- Measures must be implemented to reduce public sector overtime expenditures – Finance Minister Dursun Oğuz highlighted that public sector salaries and overtime payments make up a large portion of the state budget.
- South Cyprus closing for three weeks – Greek Cypriot Health Minister announced the new set of measures to decongest the hospitals and to curb the spread of the virus further.
- 10th death from coronavirus in the TRNC – Health Minister Ali Pilli announced Serpil Hancıoğlu who was being treated in intensive care for Covid-19, passed away.
Cyprus weeps over family tragedy
48-year-old mother Bengü, 52-year-old father İbrahim Çobanoğlu and their 14-year-old son Çınar all lose their lives with a bullet each. Only 18-year-old Eralp from the four-member family survives. While the seriously wounded Çınar was rushed to the Nicosia Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, he could not be saved. Eralp Çobanoğlu was taken in for questioning and later released. It was reported that Eralp sought help from the neighbours. Police investigated all possible angles, examining the mobile phones of all household members as well as the computers at home. According to information obtained by Diyalog, Eralp was released last night and taken to his uncle Aydın Boyacı’s home. Suspicions that 14-year-old Çınar committed the murders have grown following these developments.
We will be there one day
Family disaster, murder and three dead! A bloody and incomprehensible incident in Geçitkale (Lefkoniko) unseen in the past shakes the community.14-year-old Çınar Çobanoğlu, first shot his parents while they were sleeping around 3:30 in the morning before committing suicide. He had posted a photo on social media taken in a cemetery on November 28, 2019, with the comment, “We will be here one day.”
- Erkan Eğmez arrested again… He gives everyone lessons on nationalism – Eğmez, involved in the mob who stoned our newspaper two years ago and who testified in favour of the attackers, was arrested for violating a 1st-degree military zone. Eğmez, who crossed over to the south illegally, is being investigated for smuggling. Erkan Eğmez had been arrested before in the same area for violating a military zone.
- South to enter a lockdown for three weeks – The new measures will be in force from Sunday onwards until January 31.
- Five local, total eight positive coronavirus cases in the north, 466 new cases and one death in the south…
Main News
Cyprob issues remain on table regardless of solution model
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Armağan Candan on Friday said that no matter which solution model was proposed, the chapters concerning governance and power-sharing, property, territory and security would still be the issues to be discussed at the negotiating table.
Candan, speaking on HaberKıbrıs Web TV, also said that ideas being thrown around about confidence-building measures such as allowing direct flights to Ercan (Tymbou) airport or allowing direct trade through Famagusta Port in exchange for steps on Maraş (Varosha) were important in terms of moving forward towards the comprehensive settlement.
The CTP MP, however, criticized Turkish Cypriot president Ersin Tatar for not informing the political parties about the developments in the Cyprus talks process.
“No one knows what Tatar will be talking about during his meeting with UN Envoy Jane Holl Lute,” Candan concluded.
Meanwhile, Tatar on Friday said a two-state solution was vital in achieving regional stability.
During a meeting with a war veterans’ association, Tatar argued that any political steps to be taken on the Cyprus Issue must take into account the lessons learnt from past experiences.
“Given the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, and due to its strategic location, the TRNC’s importance has grown,” Tatar said.
He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side is acting in full harmony with Turkey on the issue.
“The TRNC is giving great hopes to its people for the future,” Tatar stressed and argued the north will develop further with Ankara’s support.
KEY ACTORS
Candan (CTP)
>> Chapters on property, security, territory, governance & power-sharing will be negotiated at the table regardless of the proposed solution model.
>> CBMs such as the opening of Ercan (Tymbou) airport & Famagusta Port as well as the Maraş (Varosha) initiative are important in terms of moving forward towards a solution.
Tatar
>> A two-state solution is vital in establishing regional stability.
>> North’s importance has grown due to its strategic location & developments in East Med.