Son of Former Prime Minister Salih Özgürgün Detained at Ercan Airport for Traffic Violation

Salih Özgürgün, a pilot and son of former Prime Minister of Northern Cyprus Hüseyin Özgürgün, was detained on the evening of August 11, 2025, at Ercan Airport. According to local media, the incident occurred after he ignored a police order to stop. Patrol officers gave the “Stop” signal, but the car driven by Özgürgün continued moving, which led to his interception and subsequent detention.

Some initial reports suggested that the detention might have been related to drunk driving. However, this information was officially denied. Law enforcement representatives clarified that it was a traffic rules violation, not driving under the influence.

In his statement to the press, Salih Özgürgün said he had no intention of avoiding police orders. According to him, roadworks were being carried out at the time, traffic was being directed by officers, and he was following a column of cars. He claimed that he simply did not notice the “Stop” signal, which led to the misunderstanding.

After being detained, Özgürgün was issued an administrative fine. He immediately paid the amount and was released the same evening. The incident received wide coverage in local media, largely because the person involved is the son of a former head of government.

Law enforcement authorities reminded that such cases involving failure to comply with police instructions are considered serious violations, regardless of the driver’s status or position. The department emphasized that work to ensure road safety will continue and that similar actions will be strictly prevented in the future.