KSTU Trial: Gündüz, Özbek, and Shakerifard’s Case Postponed to April 7

The defendants, including the university's secretary-general and shareholder Serdal Gündüz, international office officer Amir Shakerifard, and assistant Berk Özbek, appeared before the Nicosia Assize Court today as part of the investigation into the university, which has been linked to fake diploma scandals in Morphou.

Defense lawyers Hasan Yücelen, Doğa Zeki, and Talat Tanca were present at the hearing. The court granted the request for postponement to allow for the collection of case files.

Speaking during the hearing, Doğa Zeki, the lawyer representing Serdal Gündüz, requested additional time for the gathering of documents.

Hasan Yücelen, representing Berk Özbek, also addressed the court, while Amir Shakerifard’s lawyer, Talat Tanca, stated that his client maintained his previous intention to plead guilty. However, Tanca noted that an additional case was expected to be brought against Shakerifard and requested time to consider their position.

The Nicosia Assize Court ruled that the case would be adjourned until Monday, April 7.

The defendants face multiple charges, including "obtaining money by deception," "fraud," "forgery and circulation of forged documents," "manipulation and fraud in financial accounts," "money laundering," "incitement to issue a false bank payment order," and "embezzlement by an employee."