CALL ON THE GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: “STOP PROTECTING MURDER SUSPECTS”
“Stop sheltering murder suspect Salman and return him”
The killing last September of one of our country’s most successful ceramic, statue and painting artists, Hasan Işık Özgöçmen, has deeply saddened our public. It is known by all circles that the suspect determined during the investigation following the murder of Özgöçmen, namely Muhammad Salman of Pakistan, fled to Southern Cyprus and was captured by the Greek Cypriot police in Limassol.
As of today, the address of murder suspect Salman in Southern Cyprus has been determined. According to confirmed information, suspect Salman continues to be sheltered at Menoya (Menogeia) refugee camp in Larnaca, where other asylum seekers are held.
Since the whereabouts of the suspect of this heinous crime which has deeply affected our public has been determined, we publicly call on the Greek Cypriot administration to return the suspect to our side so that he may stand trial without further delay.
We would like to inform our public that initiatives were also taken regarding the murder suspects of Gökhan Naim and that the Greek Cypriot authorities arerefraining from sharing any information in this regard.
In these and other such cases, the political excuses put forth by the Greek Cypriot leadership cannot act as justification to offer refuge to criminals, protect them and reward them with impunity.
We take this opportunity to reiterate our call on the Greek Cypriot side; that it is necessary to cooperate on such issues if we are to begin building confidence between the two sides.