University student sentenced to nine months in prison for forging health document to obtain residency permit

Lefkoşa, Northern Cyprus – A 22-year-old university student, has been sentenced to nine months in prison by the Lefkoşa Assize Court after being found guilty of forging a health certificate to unlawfully obtain a residency permit through the immigration system.

The verdict was delivered by a panel of judges on Wednesday May 28.

The case, which concluded this week, revealed that the suspect identified as HA, a Turkish national had acquired an official health report from a hospital in Türkiye and altered the document using a mobile application to change the dates, making it appear current. He subsequently used the forged document in October 2023 to access the immigration system and secure a residency permit.

According to the court, HA was identified and arrested on January 23, 2024. He was released on bail pending trial and later admitted to all charges. During the proceedings, he stated that he had sent the forged document to a friend in Türkiye, who then uploaded it into the immigration system on his behalf.

The court took into account that HA, who was 22 years old at the time of the offense and had no prior criminal record, expressed remorse and stated that he did not fully grasp the seriousness of his actions. He had been awaiting trial for over a year and fully cooperated with police from the outset.

Despite these mitigating factors, the court emphasized the severity and public interest surrounding the case.

The judge underscored that the forged health certificate posed a risk to public health, particularly as such documents are crucial for safeguarding the wellbeing of the community. The court also noted that HA’s actions undermined public authority and trust in official processes.

“The offense of circulating a forged official document carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Given the seriousness, prevalence, and public concern over such crimes, a sentence other than imprisonment is not deemed appropriate,” the judge stated.

While acknowledging HA’s young age, clean record, cooperation with authorities, and remorse as factors warranting leniency, the court ultimately concluded that a custodial sentence was necessary. In delivering the judgment, the court imposed a nine-month prison term, noting it as a relatively lenient sentence intended to serve both justice and rehabilitation.

The case highlights the increasing scrutiny on immigration and document fraud in Northern Cyprus, where public health and the integrity of official systems remain high priorities for authorities.