Social Media Journalist Serdinc Maypa Released on Bail Amid Privacy Violation Charges
In a recent development, Serdinc Maypa, a Turkish Cypriot social media journalist, was released on bail after being charged with privacy violations. The bail was set at 35,000TL (approximately €1,016), with the stipulation that he reports to his local police station weekly and that two guarantors sign on his behalf for 500,000TL (around €14,511).
Maypa’s arrest last Thursday led to a three-day remand, and while the police sought an extension to detain him further, the judge denied their request. Despite police concerns over evidence tampering and witness interference, Maypa’s lawyer argued that the charges were an intimidation tactic.
The investigation has gathered momentum with 11 statements already taken and plans to question 13 additional individuals. Scrutiny has intensified as authorities revealed that Maypa’s digital devices contained 2,586 messages and over 28,000 photographs and documents, some labeled as ‘government’ documents. Among the contentious items is a 1,000-page document detailing Covid-19 patient data, purportedly leaked from a hospital in northern Nicosia.
The north’s ‘health ministry’ is poised to lodge a formal complaint regarding the unauthorized possession of sensitive health data by Maypa. This comes as the number of complaints against him has escalated to 13, with recent allegations from eight Bangladeshi nationals concerning privacy breaches.
Initially targeted by complaints from various institutions including Kib-Tek and the Cyprus Turkish building contractors’ association, Maypa has also made counter-allegations. These claims are now subject to police investigation. When questioned about how he acquired the controversial documents, Maypa quipped that “storks brought them,” a response that did little to clarify the situation but highlighted the contentious nature of the case.
The unfolding legal drama surrounding Maypa has caught the attention of both public and authorities, as it touches upon issues of privacy, press freedom, and the handling of sensitive information. With investigations ongoing, the implications of this case could have significant repercussions for journalistic practices in the region.