Former North ‘Minister’ Ziya Ozturkler vehemently denied bribery allegations linked to a fake diploma scandal involving City Island University. Ozturkler refuted claims of secret money exchanges, instead asserting a public book handover and called for a police investigation to clear his name.
Did Ziya Ozturkler accept bribes related to a fake diploma scandal?
Ziya Ozturkler, the former ‘interior minister’ of the north, vehemently denied allegations of accepting bribes from a university owner to establish a medical school. He refuted the claims of a secret money exchange, instead asserting that the interaction involved receiving books publicly and has called for a police investigation to clear his name.
In recent developments, Ziya Ozturkler, the former ‘interior minister’ of the north, confronted allegations head-on about accepting bribes from a university. The accusations are part of a larger “fake diploma scandal” which has seen ongoing investigations and arrests. On a fateful Tuesday, Mr. Ozturkler held firm, denying any such exchange of money for favors.
Accusations in Parliament
The storm began when Dogus Derya, an opposition party CTP ‘MP’, raised concerns in ‘parliament’. Derya alleged that Ozturkler received an envelope filled with cash from Talip Emiroglu, the owner of City Island University. The supposed clandestine exchange took place in a restaurant car park. According to Derya, this was done to secure permissions to establish a medical school. She pressed for a thorough police investigation to bring the truth to light.
Derya’s inquiries into whether Ozturkler had been called in by the police to provide his statement were met with prompt denials from Ozturkler. He claimed that the only exchange that had occurred was Emiroglu handing him books in a very public setting. Ozturkler went on to emphasize his own call for a police probe to confirm his innocence against what he described as baseless claims fueled by misinterpreted photographs.
Defense and Integrity
Ozturkler’s defense was robust and categorical. He dismissed the notion of having any authority to influence the opening of medical schools. His impassioned statement included a detailed affirmation of his financial transparency and accountability. “My accounts are clear, my assets are clear, everything is clear,” he declared, adding that he had made all necessary statements to the police. The flustered former minister questioned Derya’s research integrity and criticized the levity with which allegations were made from the parliamentary podium.
The City Island University, central to these allegations, was no stranger to controversy. It had recently made headlines when its rector was arrested under the accusation of embezzling funds from student deposits. This highlighted the oft-discussed need for stronger oversight and accountability in educational institutions.
Higher Education Crisis Management
Meanwhile, the north’s higher education system faced scrutiny under the lens of an ongoing crisis. Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar convened with the Turkish Council of Higher Education (Yok). The focus was on bolstering the north’s higher education accreditation authority and ensuring the ‘education ministry’ worked in sync with Yok. Tatar underscored the urgency of counteracting efforts from the south to undermine the north’s higher education and stressed the importance of maintaining a reliable educational brand.
In response to these challenges, Yok’s deputy chairman, Haldun Goktas, disclosed ongoing efforts to integrate Turkey’s higher education information management system, Yoksis, with the north’s institutions. This implementation would necessitate extensive technical groundwork, crucial for maintaining the integrity of student and graduate records, serving to enhance the transparency and credibility of the educational framework.
Did Ziya Ozturkler accept bribes related to a fake diploma scandal?
Ziya Ozturkler, the former ‘interior minister’ of the north, vehemently denied allegations of accepting bribes from a university owner to establish a medical school. He refuted the claims of a secret money exchange, instead asserting that the interaction involved receiving books publicly and has called for a police investigation to clear his name.
What accusations were made against Ziya Ozturkler in Parliament?
Accusations against Ziya Ozturkler were brought forth in Parliament by Dogus Derya, an opposition party CTP ‘MP’. Derya alleged that Ozturkler received an envelope filled with cash from the owner of City Island University in a secretive exchange to secure permissions for a medical school. Ozturkler denied these claims and emphasized a public book handover, urging a police investigation to prove his innocence.
How did Ziya Ozturkler defend himself against the allegations?
Ziya Ozturkler defended himself by refuting any authority to influence medical school openings and emphasizing his financial transparency. He declared that his accounts and assets were clear, and he had cooperated with the police. Ozturkler criticized Derya’s allegations and called for a thorough investigation to dispel what he referred to as baseless claims.
How is the higher education system in the north responding to these challenges?
In response to the crisis in the higher education system, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar held discussions with the Turkish Council of Higher Education (Yok) to strengthen accreditation and enhance collaboration between the ‘education ministry’ and Yok. Efforts are being made to integrate Turkey’s higher education information management system, Yoksis, with institutions in the north to improve transparency and credibility in the educational framework.
