Police officer arrested for offering bribe to another police officer in north Cyprus

A Turkish Cypriot police officer who tried to bribe a fellow police officer with 300 Euros to illegally approve a company's permit has been arrested and charged to court.

The suspect named only as BE was arrested last month for allegedly offering a 300 Euro bribe to another police officer, to approve 22 preliminary permits belonging to a company. 

He was taken to court on Friday on charges of "attempting to bribe and abuse of office by a public official". The suspect did not accept the charges against him.

A separate disciplinary investigation has been initiated within the General Directorate of Police against the suspect.

Police officer who testified in court said the suspect who works in the Immigration Department of the Lefkosia Police Department, on 23 June 2023, offered a police officer who was temporarily assigned to the same branch between June, 21-28, a 300 Euro bribe to approve 22 preliminary permits for a company. 

The new officer instead went to the judicial branch on June, 28 to report the incident following which an investigation was launched into the matter.

The suspect was arrested during the same period in June and that 300 Euros were taken as evidence.

Police stated that fingerprint and DNA research will be done on the money.

Five 5 mobile phones belonging to the suspect were taken as evidence.

Police said that a disciplinary investigation was also initiated against the suspect before the police, and that he was suspended for this reason.

Police prosecutor demanded that the court release him on bail stating that the investigation was ongoing but the suspect would not be able to influence the rest of the investigation.

The court ordered the suspect to be released on bail on the condition that he deposits 30,000 TL cash collateral and bring two guarantors sign a bail bond of 300,000 TL each.