The Nicosia District Court has extended the detention of the prime minister’s adviser for five days

In Northern Cyprus, in Nicosia, on 12 December 2025, the District Court extended for five days the detention of H.C., the state secretary to the prime minister, who was arrested as part of an investigation by the Police General Directorate — the Financial Crimes Unit.

According to the investigation, H.C. is suspected of accepting a bribe, offering a bribe, demanding a bribe, abuse of official authority, unlawful possession of explosives, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

At the hearing, presided over by Judge Şevket Gazi, police inspector Ertem Hodja stated that 30 people had been questioned during the investigation, with 15 providing statements. According to one of the statements, the suspect demanded 100,000 euros from an individual in exchange for assistance in processing a state action. Investigators established that the suspect changed his phone in November; the old device is being examined. According to Hodja, the suspect provided explanations regarding the old phone.

Prosecutor Ali Hidayet stated that additional statements need to be obtained and video and audio recordings examined, and therefore requested an extension of the detention. Defense lawyer Süleyman Dolmacı reported that his client had been experiencing kidney pain for the past two days.

Judge Şevket Gazi granted the prosecutor’s request for an additional five days of detention and ordered that the suspect be sent for a medical examination at Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital.