Newsroom
A chilling tragedy unfolded in the occupied northern part of Cyprus as Anastasia Melega, a young woman from Moldova, was found dead late Monday evening at the ''Prinses'' nightclub-cabaret in occupied Gerolakkos, where she had worked. The circumstances surrounding her death have raised serious questions, with authorities suggesting suicide, while the Turkish Cypriot media is revisiting claims of "sex slavery" in the area.
The death of Melega, who had been working at the nightclub, has thrown a spotlight on a dark issue that many have long feared was widespread in the occupied territories: human trafficking and exploitation. Local press, including *Yeni Düşen*, are calling her death a “tragedy,” while also bringing the issue of white slavery back into the public conversation.
Erhan Arikli, the President of the ‘co-ruling’ Renaissance Party and the ‘Minister of Transport,’ added fuel to the fire with a controversial statement. His remarks, published today, seem to acknowledge the role of prostitution in the region. "Prostitution is the oldest industry in the world," Arikli said. "It happens all over the world, and it’s true that in the occupied territories, it's done with the knowledge and interest of the state."
Arikli’s comments, which some interpret as an indirect admission of the government's complicity in the trade, focused on the disturbing reality faced by women like Melega. He shared a personal experience, recalling a similar case from his time as a "representative" in Kyrgyzstan. He detailed how a young woman was lured to the occupied territories under the false pretense of working as a waitress, only to find herself forced into prostitution at a nightclub in Gerolakkos.
Despite her suffering, the woman managed to alert her family, and Arikli intervened. However, the legal case was never brought to court because the woman’s family chose not to pursue justice. This, Arikli said, highlights the disturbing power imbalance that leaves many victims without a voice.
The T/C medical association has also voiced its concern over the growing crime and corruption within the occupied territories, using Melega's death as a painful example of a larger issue. The association has labeled the country’s situation a “social collapse,” citing rising rates of femicide, sexual assault, and organized crime as signs of deeper systemic issues.
"The root cause of this chaos and madness is the lack of policies," the medical association stated, pointing to failures in economic, social, and population policies. The absence of a functional justice system, the association claims, has paved the way for these crimes to thrive unchecked.
As public outrage grows, there is increasing pressure on authorities to take responsibility for the social decay that is wreaking havoc on the community. The T/C medical association has called for immediate action to restore order, urging those in power to step up and take responsibility for creating a safer, fairer society.
