Stolen Luxury Cars Used as Official Vehicles in Northern Cyprus Spark Controversy

northern cyprus - Controversy arises in Northern Cyprus as stolen luxury cars seized at customs are distributed to government officials for official use.

Stolen Luxury Cars Used as Official Vehicles

A recent scandal in Northern Cyprus has emerged as stolen luxury cars seized at customs are being used as official vehicles by government officials, including high-level bureaucrats in the Health Ministry.

61 Luxury Cars Seized in 2.5 Years

The Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance has revealed that in the past 2.5 years, 61 luxury cars stolen from the UK have been confiscated. After contacting the UK authorities and waiting for a certain period without owners coming forward, the cars were transferred to the National Property Office.

The opposition parties criticized the Ministry of Finance, stating that according to the law, the proper procedure should have been to sell the unclaimed cars through auction.

Minister Defends Actions

Finance Minister Özdemir Berova defended the government's decision by stating that out of the 61 stolen cars, 27 have been transferred to the National Property and Material Office. He justified the use of the cars by government officials, saying that they cannot leave the cars to deteriorate in storage and that their actions are legal.