Moldovan national arrested for stealing wallet containing 8,000 Turkish Lira at Ercan airport

A Moldovan national identified as TD, accused of stealing a wallet and 8,000 TL left on a conveyor belt at Ercan Airport, in north Cyprus was sent to prison.

The suspect who was brought to court for the second time on Tuesday June 10, expressed remorse and stated his desire to return to his home country. 

According to police, the incident took place on June 7, 2025, at around 9:00 AM when the suspect who was in Northern Cyprus as a tourist and was preparing to depart abroad, allegedly took a black wallet valued at 200 TL and containing 8,000 TL in cash. The wallet had been inadvertently left on the conveyor belt by a passenger identified as Ş.K. while passing through the x-ray security checkpoint in the departure hall.

The suspect was located and arrested later that same day at Ercan Airport. The cash was found in his possession, while the wallet was recovered from the airport’s waste collection area and secured as evidence.

Police informed the court that the suspect accepted the charges during his initial appearance and was detained for three days initially during investigation period. 

The prosecution requested that he be tried while in detention, highlighting that the suspect was in the country as a tourist.

Speaking in court, the suspect admitted to the theft, stating, “I found it on the conveyor belt and took it. I am very remorseful and want to return to my country.”

After considering the testimony, the judge ordered the suspect’s detention for a period not exceeding 10 days pending further proceedings.