‘Federal Cyprus already exists at the mafia level’: Ex-TRNC prime minister

Former TRNC ‘prime minister’ Ferdi Sabit Soyer has claimed that a federal system already exists in Cyprus—but operating at a criminal level.

“A federation has been unofficially formed in Cyprus, operating through mafia networks,” he said in an interview with Kanal Sim. “The mafias from the south and the north, along with criminal organizations in Turkey and Greece, have effectively created their own federation.”

Soyer urged TRNC authorities to adopt a firm stance against illicit financial activities.

“We must take steps to ensure our country doesn’t end up on the list of nations involved in money laundering,” he stressed.

His remarks follow a series of explosive interviews published earlier this year by the news outlet Bugun Kibris. These featured Cemil Onal, a former financial advisor to Turkish Cypriot businessman Halil Falyali.

Onal accused Falyali of operating a sophisticated money laundering scheme and maintaining connections with drug trafficking networks linked to prominent Turkish figures.