Domestic worker sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for gold theft in Gönyeli

Lefkoşa, May 27, 2025 — A woman from Turkmenistan, J. Baymuradova, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison for stealing gold items while working as a domestic cleaner in Gönyeli. 

The verdict was delivered by the Lefkosia High Criminal Court on Tuesday May 27.

The panel of judges, found the defendant guilty of theft by an employee, a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison.

According to the court ruling, Baymuradova worked as a cleaner at a residence on Kanarya Street between June 14 and October 5, 2024. During this period, she stole 10 quarter gold coins worth 53,000 TL, three half gold coins worth 31,800 TL, and a gold bracelet engraved with the name “Ceyda” valued at 50,000 TL from a locked drawer in the homeowner’s dressing room.

Baymuradova was arrested on October 5, 2024. The investigation later revealed that she had sold the bracelet to a jeweler in Lefkoşa for 13,000 TL. Initially denying the accusations, Baymuradova eventually admitted to selling the bracelet, stating, “Yes, I sold it. I needed the money to return to Turkmenistan. I only took what I needed, not everything.”

The total value of the stolen gold was calculated at 134,800 TL.

During the trial, Baymuradova’s lawyer emphasized her remorse, noting that she had compensated the victim with a payment of 250,000 TL and that the complaint had been formally withdrawn.

The judge who read the verdict, stressed that despite mitigating factors such as the defendant’s lack of a prior criminal record, voluntary confession, cooperation with police, and financial restitution to the victim, the breach of trust was a serious aggravating circumstance. The court emphasized the need for deterrent penalties in cases where individuals exploit the trust placed in them.

“No matter the reason, taking what belongs to others is unacceptable,” the judge said. The court also acknowledged that Baymuradova would be serving her sentence in a foreign country, away from her child, which was considered as a mitigating element.

Ultimately, the court concluded that a custodial sentence was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offense and deter similar crimes. Baymuradova was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.