Derviş Refiker and Şerif Avcil to Remain in Custody for 6 Days Amid Investigation

he Güzelyurt District Court issued a 6-day extension of detention for Derviş Refiker and Şerif Avcil, who have been detained as part of the investigation at the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU) since February 5.

The two suspects, who were arrested as part of the investigation conducted by the Police General Directorate's Financial Crimes Unit at the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, appeared in court again today.

ÖZBAYLI: ABUSE OF OFFICE

In the court hearing held before Judge Gülay Uğur in the Güzelyurt District Court, police investigator Ortunç Özbaylı presented the findings of the investigation regarding the suspect Derviş Refiker.

Investigator Ortunç Özbaylı stated that Derviş Refiker is accused of "accepting money in exchange for performing duties, receiving money in return for favoritism, and money laundering." Özbaylı indicated that the suspect abused his position by ensuring the rapid handling of the opening of the Medical Faculty at the university. He mentioned that the suspect received payments in Turkish Lira, US Dollars, and Euros at different times, along with AirPods earphones. Özbaylı also stated that certain documents, including the Medical Faculty application letter and file, as well as some documents belonging to YÖDAK, were seized as evidence, and when questioned, the suspect claimed not to remember the documents. Özbaylı further mentioned that a search was conducted at the suspect's residence, where two laptops, a headphone case, a Master's degree diploma in Business Administration, and a transcript were seized as evidence. Özbaylı added that an investigation will be conducted to determine if the diploma, which was not found at the school, was put into circulation.

Özbaylı informed that 16 statements were taken in 3 days, 10 more statements will be taken, and there are items being searched for. Therefore, Özbaylı requested that the suspect be detained for an additional 6 days.

Prosecutor Fatma Damdelen also requested a 6-day extension of detention, citing the possibility of the suspect influencing the investigation.

The defense attorney did not object to the request, and the Judge approved the 6-day detention order.

BİLGER KORAL: FAKE GRADES ENTERED HAPHAZARDLY IN 9 DAYS

Police Sergeant Bilger Koral presented the findings regarding the suspect Şerif Avcil in the "fake diploma" investigation. Koral stated that Şerif Avcil is accused of "incitement to produce counterfeit documents."

Koral explained that Şerif Avcil registered for the Master's program in Business Administration without a thesis on June 5, 2023, but it was falsely recorded that he registered on February 2, 2022. Between June 6, 2023, and June 15, 2023, fake grades were entered haphazardly, and he was graduated as the top student on June 19, 2023.

Koral mentioned that the suspect claimed not to know where his diploma was, and his phone was reported missing. Koral added that when the suspect was reached on his phone and asked to come to the police station, he stated that he lost his phone when he arrived. Koral further stated that the suspect mentioned the possibility of dropping his phone in the car of the person who brought him to the police station. However, a search was conducted in the car, but the phone was not found.

Koral informed that 9 statements were taken in 3 days, more statements will be taken, and two people, the original diploma of the suspect, and his phone are being searched for. Therefore, Koral requested an 8-day extension of detention.

The defense attorney did not object to the request, and the Judge ruled for the suspect to remain in police custody for an additional 6 days.