The political crisis triggered by the Filo Jet ferry disaster off Kyrenia intensified on Wednesday, with former "public works and transport minister" Erhan Arıklı learning of his dismissal by telephone and opposition figures demanding the resignation of the entire coalition administration.
The decree dismissing Arıklı was signed by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman and published in the north's official gazette.
Opposition rejects "scapegoat" narrative
CTP chair Sıla Usar İncirli said the administration of "prime minister" Ünal Üstel could not escape responsibility for the disaster by removing a single minister.
In a social-media post, she said the occupied north had been living through a "nightmare" for the past five years.
"The Üstel government, which has undermined state institutions, paralysed oversight mechanisms, eliminated meritocracy and shaken the foundations of the state through corruption and mismanagement, cannot avoid responsibility simply by dismissing one of its ministers."
İncirli linked a range of problems facing Turkish Cypriots to what she described as government mismanagement and argued that the public deserved a more transparent and accountable administration.
Calls for mass resignations
Communal Democracy Party leader Zeki Çeler described Arıklı's dismissal as a "late and incomplete step."
"The government is finished, the institutions have collapsed. Resign collectively!"
Çeler said the administration could not avoid responsibility by selecting a single scapegoat and argued that the only appropriate move for Üstel would be to announce the resignation of his government.
He added that Arıklı should have been removed from office within hours of the maritime disaster.
Arıklı says he was dismissed by phone
Earlier on Wednesday, Arıklı had announced plans to propose transferring responsibility for the "ports department" to the "prime ministry" until the investigation into the shipwreck had been completed. He also said he would request the lifting of his parliamentary immunity.
In his first social-media reaction following the announcement of his removal, Arıklı described being informed of the decision by telephone as:
"Immoral, given the position of the head of government."
However, he said he respected Üstel's decision.
Thanking those he had worked with during the past four-and-a-half years, he concluded:
"May we meet again in a stronger position during the next term. Goodbye."
Following the announcement, the collective bodies of the YDP (Rebirth Party), of which Arıklı is leader, convened an emergency meeting and decided to withdraw from the coalition administration.
Turkish Cypriot media highlighted Arıklı's later remark that he had learned of his dismissal by phone rather than in person, while Üstel had learned of YDP's withdrawal from the administration through the media.
According to reports, Arıklı joked that it was a form of reciprocity.
Erhürman responds to photo controversy
Before Arıklı's dismissal and his party's withdrawal, Erhürman issued a new statement defending himself against criticism over a photograph showing him embracing Arıklı at Kyrenia harbour after the disaster.
Erhürman said the image was taken on the day of the shipwreck, after news emerged that lives had been lost.
According to him, he embraced everyone he met for the first time after the tragedy, including government officials, while expressing condolences.
"Everyone who knows me knows that I am not ashamed to embrace people and express my condolences, nor would I stoop so low as to lie and suggest that the photograph was generated by artificial intelligence."
He added that he felt uncomfortable making such a statement while families continued to mourn but said the controversy had reached the point of spreading falsehoods.
Turkish vice-president to visit north
Meanwhile, Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yılmaz is expected to visit the occupied north on Thursday.
According to reports, Yılmaz will meet relatives of the victims and pay a condolence visit to Erhürman.
Before departing, he is expected to hold a joint press conference with Üstel at the illegal Tymbou airport.
Reports also indicated that Turkish Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu is expected to visit, while Turkish naval search-and-rescue vessels TCG Işın and TCG Alemdar continue assisting recovery operations.
A team of Turkish investigators led by Durali İşler, head of the Department of Marine Accident Investigation at Turkey's Transport Safety Investigation Centre, has also arrived to assist the inquiry.
Suspects return to court
Nine suspects in the Filo Jet disaster are due to reappear before the Kyrenia District Court on Thursday for the renewal of detention orders.
The court has also issued search warrants for five additional individuals in connection with the investigation.
Source: CNA
