Newsroom
Mehmet Birinci, a a prominent Turkish Cypriot politician, has issued a public warning to Turkish Cypriots, cautioning them against individuals attempting to profit from applications for Republic of Cyprus citizenship.
According to Birinci, increased interest in citizenship procedures has created confusion and vulnerability within the community, which some are now seeking to exploit. He says he has recently been approached by many people who were told that, in exchange for fees ranging from €1,000 to €1,600, their applications could supposedly be accelerated.
Birinci stressed that such claims are misleading. Those demanding money have no official role, influence, or special access to state institutions. At most, he explained, they may forward a portion of the money to private lawyers, without offering any guarantee of faster or successful processing.
He reminded applicants that Turkish Cypriots who meet the 2007 eligibility framework, as well as those with a sibling who already holds Republic of Cyprus citizenship, are entitled to apply on their own. These applications can be submitted directly, without intermediaries and without cost, by filing a simple petition through the proper legal channels.
Birinci also underlined that there is no closing date or time pressure for submitting applications. He noted that longer waiting times caused by a high volume of applications have fuelled anxiety, which fraudsters are deliberately exploiting. From his perspective, this reflects how uncertainty within the Turkish Cypriot community is being manipulated for financial gain.
Calling for vigilance, Birinci urged citizens not to allow themselves to be misled or rushed. He emphasized that the only safe and legitimate path is through official procedures and warned against trusting individuals or groups who request money in return for “assistance” or promises of preferential treatment.
