PM's phone 'taped'

The arrest of the two suspects followed a formal complaint from the prime minister to the police. Mr Tatar told Cyprus Today that he had been upset by the episode, stating that “my right to privacy has been violated”.

PRIME Minister Ersin Tatar has taken legal action against a group who have been accused of ‘illegally recording’ a private telephone conversation without his knowledge or consent –  which was then shared with other people.

Speaking to Cyprus Today, Mr Tatar said he did not wish to comm.ent further on the incident which has now landed in the courts of law.

The video recording of by Fatma Zuhal Kılınç obtained by this newspaper – shows her speaking to Mr Tatar having put him on loud speaker.Cyprus 

Today understands that Mrs Kılınç used to work as a croupier, but left her job and returned to Turkey.

Following the complaint by Mr Tatar, police arrested suspects initialed ISD and AE.

Testifying at the Lefkoşa court this week on behalf of the TRNC Attorney General, Damla Güçlü and police officer Hüseyin Ergüleç Mr Ergüleç testified that the private telephone conversation between Ms Kılınç, whom he said resides in Turkey, and Mr Tatar, took place on May 1.

 He said the telephone conversation was “illegally visually recorded,” adding that “on the same date, the [video] was sent via WhatsApp to TRNC resident and [her] friend ISG.”

He added that ISG then “forwarded the same message  to AE and in doing so violated the right to life and communication [of Mr Tatar].”

“Following the complaint of the Prime Minister, an investigation has been started. . .ISG and AE were placed under arrest and they have voluntarily given their statements. . . there is a need to examine the mobile telephones of the suspects. . .the video was shared. . .” he said.

Lawyers acting for the suspects did not object to the continuation of custody of the suspects as investigations by the police continue.

Speaking to Cyprus Today, a police spokesman said that MsKilinc could be arrested upon her arrival to the TRNC – but said no extradition request had been made to Turkey at this time. 

Mr Tatar is heard stating how upset he was that casino workers had been “put into the street” 

Mr Tatar is then heard saying “this is unacceptable.” He then referred to Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating that he ordered for another privately owned television station in the TRNC, be shut down. 

The television station – Diyalog TV –based in the capital’s industrial estate -- is also owned by the same owner of a group of hotels in North Cyprus.  

The station broadcast on Türksat was suspended last week by the Turkish Broadcasting Authority (RTUK), over “insulting” remarks on Turkey and implications to Mr Erdoğan -- made during a television programme by hotelier and media patron BesimTibuk – appearing with former Parliamentary Speaker and television presenter, Hasan Erçakıca. 

MrTibuk had raised eyebrows in the TRNC after he controversially said recently during the televised programme, that the TRNC should be joined with the UK for a better administration. 

Human rights groups were quick to condemn the shutdown saying it was freedom of expression. 

In the video recording of the conversation, however, and referring to Net Holding owner B. T. – Mr Tatar referred to (him) claiming that he was “tax dodging” by “showing his workers as receiving the national minimum wage”. (to pay lesser tax).

The short recording was then shared by Mrs Kilinc to the friend of her husband in the TRNC – ISG – who then forwarded the message to his friend, AE. 

Advocate Hasan Alkan told this newspaper that based on what he had seen, there was evidence to suggest that there could have been a violation of the privacy of Mr Tatar.

“Just because there is no cyber law (for crimes committed online), it does not mean that asspect cannot be prosecuted for violating the right to privacy. There is evidence that a private telephone call was made public. The law governing this was passed in 2014, after the Protection of the Right to Privacy Law was passed. This also covers telephone conversations, telegraphs, emails and letters, if they are private between individuals and there is an absence of consent for it to be made public. This is also a right protected by the TRNC Constitution, and the punishment varies depending on the crime committed, with imprisonment which can range from three up to six years. It is a very serious crime,” he said.