People's Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay issued a written statement following the conviction of Fatma Ünal, former chair of the National Unity Party (UBP) Kyrenia Women's Branch, in a fake diploma case. Özersay noted that at the outset of the process they had been warned that the file would be closed and that they should not pursue the matter, yet they chose to trust the police and independent courts and continued to follow up.
Emphasizing that they had exercised their rights under the Freedom of Information Law and that public pressure had played a decisive role in the process, Özersay described as an important step the conviction of the person who obtained the forged document, coming after those who had issued fake diplomas were sentenced to imprisonment last year. He expressed confidence that this ruling would reinforce public trust in the justice system.
Özersay added that he expects the case to set a precedent for other fake diploma cases. He noted that the existence of individuals who obtained diplomas without ever attending school, alongside those who completed their education through years of hard work, causes serious damage to the principles of justice and equal opportunity.
Arguing that clean politics is the only way forward for the country, the HP leader stressed that the fight against corruption and fraud is possible not through rhetoric alone, but through concrete steps and determined follow-through.
