Human Trafficking at Kyrenia Port: Six Suspects Remanded for Four More Days

Police officer Mehmet Dağdelen from the Criminal Investigation Unit of Kyrenia Police Department presented the case details in court.

According to the police, on February 25, 2025, at around 14:46, suspects İbrahim Can Atik, Kenan Sarıoğ, Muharrem Korkmaz, Kadir Mıdık, Hasan Uyar, and Hasan Başara, along with two unidentified male individuals with outstanding arrest warrants, used a "MAN" brand truck with license plate TPE 595 to enter the TRNC through the Kyrenia Tourism Port. The suspects allegedly concealed an Afghan family—comprising a father, mother, and four children—inside the trailer with license plate 2364 R and facilitated their illegal entry into the TRNC for financial gain.

Police stated that a total of eight mobile phones belonging to the suspects and the truck were seized as evidence.

Following a detailed investigation, police determined that on February 26, 2025, at around 14:50, Atik used another vehicle, with license plate TPG 027, to transport the seven-member Afghan family from the trailer (license plate 2427 R) and drop them off at the crime scene. Atik reportedly admitted to the offense and claimed that suspect Muharrem Korkmaz had proposed the scheme to him. He also stated that he took a photograph of the location where he dropped off the migrants and sent it to Korkmaz.

The investigation remains ongoing, with further mobile phone and surveillance footage analysis required, as well as efforts to locate additional suspects. The police requested an additional four-day detention for the suspects. After evaluating the testimony, Judge Evren Mürsel ordered that the suspects remain in custody for four more days.