Turkish Cypriot businessman Asil Nadir who was claimed for embezzling 29 million pound from British Polly Peck International company sentenced to prison for ten years.
Nadir was found guilty for 10 of 13 issues and jailed for ten years. Nadir returned to TRNC from UK in 1993 as a result of being sued for theft. Later, in 2010, Nadir returned to UK again to search for his rights and defend himself.
According to BBC, Justice Holroyde stated that 71 years old Nadir will be in prison for five years although he is sentenced for 10 years.
PRIME MINISTER KUCUK: "THE PUNISHMENT IS TOO HEAVY"
Prime Minister İrsen Küçük has said that Asil Nadir has been found guilty of 10 charges but the 10 years imprisonment decision which has been taken is too heavy. Kucuk stated that the decision of the Old Bailey hurt all Turkish Cypriot people a lot.
In his written statement Prime Minister underlined that on behalf of Turkish Cypriot people he wants to convey his support to Asil Nadir and his family and believes that the appeal will turn with better results.
ÖZGÜRGÜN: "AN AGREEMENT WILL BE A DREAM BECAUSE OF THE ATTITUDE OF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE"
TRNC Foreign Affairs Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün stated that "the sole responsible for not reaching a compromise in the negotiation process till today is Greek Cypriot side" and expressed that to expect a solution in Cyprus is a dream after South Cyprus takes over the term-presidency.
Stating that the negotiations on Cyprus problem are at a standstill, Foreign Affairs Minister Özgürgün pointed out that the activities of technical committees carry on and the evaluations concerning confidence building measures continue.
Pointing out that Cyprus problem enters into ambiguity because of the elections to be held in South Cyprus next year, the Minister emphasized that after leader of Greek Cypriot administration Dimitris Christofias explained that he would not be a candidate; it is unknown what will be the attitude of new leader to be elected next year towards the negotiation procedure.
Stating that Greek Cypriot side is satisfied with the status quo and does not need a solution, Özgürgün pointed out that Greek Cypriot side aims to hold the status quo within the framework of negotiation process.