The Ongoing Fake Diploma Scandal: TRT Correspondent Arrested
In the latest development of the fake diploma scandal that has shaken the educational integrity of Northern Cyprus, Sefa Karahasan, the Turkish public broadcaster TRT’s Cyprus correspondent, has been taken into custody. Karahasan, who appeared in court this Tuesday, is entangled in allegations concerning his academic credentials from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU).
During the court proceedings, police representative Ali Erdelhun raised questions about the legitimacy of Karahasan’s doctorate in business management, which he acquired from KSTU in May of the previous year. Erdelhun highlighted that under standard academic protocols, Karahasan would not have been eligible to graduate until 2025. Despite this, Karahasan, who has been associated with the university since 2020, claimed he could have expedited his degree acquisition due to his employment status.
Further complicating matters, reports from Yeni Duzen newspaper indicate that Karahasan admitted to collaborating with Serdal Gunduz, another individual currently imprisoned in connection to the scandal. Haber Kibris noted Erdelhun’s concerns about Karahasan’s academic performance, citing the absence of class attendance as a red flag. Moreover, Ozgur Gazete reported that Karahasan struggled to recall the subject of his own thesis.
With a three-day remand issued for Karahasan, the police continue their investigation into the scandal. The case has drawn significant attention, particularly after Turkey’s higher education council (Yok) announced plans to scrutinize Northern Cyprus’s education system. Education Minister Nazim Cavusoglu expressed hope that the region could leverage this crisis to improve its educational standards.
The scandal has led to numerous arrests, including high-profile figures and officials linked to KSTU. Among them are former ‘education minister’ Kemal Durust and his wife, who were implicated in fraudulent financial activities and possession of a fake diploma, respectively. Other notable arrests include Ersin Tatar’s bodyguard Serif Avcil and Yodak board member Mehmet Hasguler. Turgay Avci, chairman of Yodak, was arrested in March and subsequently resigned in April.
Karahasan’s arrest is a stark reminder of the pervasive issues within the education sector of Northern Cyprus. The journalist, born in Giresun and educated at private universities in the north, has had a career spanning various media outlets before joining TRT in 2021. His case adds another layer to the unfolding narrative of the fake diploma scandal that continues to unravel.
