Student sentenced to two years and six months in prison for identity fraud and document forgery

Lefkoşa, Northern Cyprus – June 19, 2025 — The Lefkoşa High Criminal Court has sentenced a student to two years and six months in prison after finding him guilty of multiple serious offenses, including forgery of official documents, inciting the production of false documents, and impersonation.

The verdict was delivered by a panel of Judges at the Lefkoşa High Criminal Court on Thursday June 19.

According to court testimony, the defendants identified as BSK, a Congo national was apprehended on February 1, 2025, while driving under the influence in Lefkoşa. Upon being stopped by traffic officers, he refused to provide a breath sample and was taken to the police station. There, when asked to present a valid driver’s license, BSK falsely assumed another individual’s identity, leading authorities to issue a traffic citation under someone else’s name.

Subsequent immigration checks revealed that BSK had been living illegally in the country since November 23, 2022.

The judge stated that not only did the defendant drive while intoxicated and without a legal status, but he also attempted to deceive law enforcement by misrepresenting his identity.

The court found BSK guilty based on his own admission and uncontested evidence submitted by the prosecution. 

The judge underscored that the offenses he committed — including circulating forged official documents and assuming another's identity — carry a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

“These are crimes that seriously undermine public order and state authority,” the judge said. “It is especially unacceptable for someone who entered the country as a student to commit such serious offenses in blatant disregard for the law.”

She added, “As a court, we have a responsibility to impose deterrent and effective penalties to discourage others from engaging in similar conduct.”

While the court acknowledged the defendant’s apology and admission of guilt, as well as the difficulties he will face serving his sentence in a foreign country away from his family, these mitigating factors were not enough to warrant a non-custodial sentence.

“In light of the nature and seriousness of the offenses, and their relevance to public interest,” the judge concluded, “we find that a prison sentence is the appropriate penalty.”

The court consequently sentenced BSK to two years and six months in prison.