Turkish Cypriot woman tender pubic apology over racial slur against two African students

Turkish Cypriot business woman, Ozlem Ozbekoglu who was called out by the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Turkish Zone over her racist comments against two Africans have tendered a public apology. 

Özlem Özbekoglu who is the Director of Magic Touch had on Thursday last week complained about two African students whom she claimed verbally abused her two daughters in a cafe in Lefkosa. She complained about the increasing ‘black population’ in TRNC and used derogatory words that refereed to Africans as ‘dogs’, filthy, and ‘ahlaksiz serefsiz zencu takimi' (morally depraved niggas).  

Her post on Facebook which drew support and backlash from many was later deleted.

Reacting to the development on Monday, July, 5, NANS, Turkish Zone president, Gideon Jude denounced Özlem Özbekoglu's comment on Africans living the country and demanded that she tender a public apology.

On Tuesday, July, 6, Mrs. Özlem Özbekoglu tendered a public apology on Facebook stating that she regret using a racial slur. 

According to her, she said it out of anger as her intention was not to offend anyone. She said the situation has nothing to do with African-origin students, but more with the social structure of the community and the increase of the crime created, due to differences between various cultures.

She also met with Comrade Gideon at the police station where they discussed the issue.