"Fake Diploma" Suspects Charged with 20 Counts

Both suspects, who are being tried without detention, appeared at the Morphou District Court for the first hearing today.

The defendants have been accused of a total of 20 charges. During the proceedings, the prosecution’s first witness, Police Inspector Ertem Hoca, presented seven pieces of evidence to the court.

The court has ordered that the hearing continue on February 25 for the submission of further evidence.

Defendants Charged with 20 Counts, Prosecution's First Witness Testifies

Today's hearing was conducted under the oversight of Judge Gülay Uğur at Morphou District Court, with Prosecutor Damla Güçlü representing the prosecution and defense attorneys Doğa Zeki and Mustafa Asena from the office of Mustafa Uluğ in attendance.

Prosecutor Damla Güçlü read out the charges against the defendants one by one. The accused, Serdal Gündüz and Barış Sel, are facing a total of 20 charges.

The first witness for the prosecution was Police Inspector Ertem Hoca from the Financial Crimes Investigation Department of the Police General Directorate. Inspector Hoca presented several pieces of evidence, including a copy of a power of attorney, an eight-page email document belonging to Serdal Gündüz, a CD showing log and recording operations, documentation of grades for lecturers, transcripts and grade sheets belonging to Barış Sel, a copy of KSTU course equivalency and accreditation guidelines, correspondence and transcript printouts obtained from A.C.'s email documents, and documents retrieved from the Güzelyurt Police Department.

The next hearing is scheduled for February 25, where the presentation of evidence will continue.