Four people arrested in human trafficking and forgery operation

Four individuals who were arrested in the human trafficking investigation conducted by the Malian police, were detained in north Cyprus as part of the investigation.

The suspects; Tezer Mercan, a Turkish national, Nissanka Sadunii Wasa de Silva, a Sri Lankan, Ahsan Chaudhary, a Pakistani and Priyadursha Opatha Vithange, a Sri Lankan were arrested as part of a human trafficking investigation led by the Financial Police.

They were brought to the Lefkosa court today (Friday December 6).

Mercan and Silva were charged for charges of "Forgery, Use of Forged Documents,” “Money Laundering from Proceeds of Crime,” and “Human Trafficking.” 

Ahsan Chaudhary was charged for "Forgery, Use of Forged Documents," and “Tampering with Evidence,” while Priyadursha Opatha Vithange was charged for "Unauthorized Residence."

During the hearing, Police Officer explained that the investigation began following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Labor on December 2, 2024, in response to a news article published by Özgür Gazete regarding human trafficking.

The officer stated that between May and November 2024, Silva had requested that TezTur Tourism and Travel Agency in Lefkosia create forged documents. These documents were used to facilitate the entry of Priyadursha Opatha Vithange and another individual into the country as tourists by falsely registering them at the Royal Place Hotel in Gönyeli. Each person paid $1,800 for the process.

Silva provided a voluntary statement admitting that he carried out this operation in collaboration with Tezer Mercan. Kamalı added that Mercan was apprehended at the Bostancı Border Crossing on December 6, 2024, while attempting to leave the country.

The investigation will include additional statements, an analysis of Silva’s testimony, and examinations of the suspects’ mobile phones. Kamalı requested three more days of detention, citing two additional suspects still at large and the potential for interference in the investigation if the suspects were released.

Charges Against Ahsan Chaudhary
Ahsan Chaudhary, a receptionist at the Royal Place Hotel, was then brought before the court. Police stated that Chaudhary altered reservation records to make it appear that the two individuals brought into the country were tourists, removing the TezTur company’s name and replacing it with “walking.” He then printed and submitted the falsified documents. Chaudhary admitted to the crime in his statement, explaining that he acted out of fear of being fired by his employer.

The police requested an additional 3 days to investigate Chaudhary’s potential links to human trafficking.

Charges Against Priyadursha Opatha Vithange
Lastly, Priyadursha Opatha Vithange was brought to court. The police stated that Vithange was arrested for “Unauthorized Residence” after being found to have been staying in the country illegally for 4 days since December 1, 2024. Kamalı added that Vithange was identified as a victim in the human trafficking investigation and that their immigration records would be examined.

Court Decision
During the hearing, the lawyers for Mercan and Silva did not object to the requested detention period. Chaudhary told the court that he altered the records out of fear of losing his job. Vithange defended himself, stating, “I didn’t do anything. They sent me the documents; I came here to start a business.”

The judge ordered all 4 suspects to be detained for an additional 3 days.