Justice ministry denies illegal phone use after inmate’s podcast interview

Local Central PrisonsTop Newsturkey Justice ministry denies illegal phone use after inmate’s podcast interview Varypoinitis Relevant News Elderly driver seriously hurt after car hits house wall in Paphos 27 August 2026 Justice ministry denies illegal phone use after inmate’s podcast interview 27 August 2026 The Iran war has exposed Europe’s fossil-fuel vulnerability 27 August 2026 Fanis Makrides 27 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’ Justice Ministry denied yesterday afternoon that a Turkish inmate illegally used a mobile phone to record a podcast interview from Central Prisons. The denial came after video and audio clips of the interview circulated widely online, reigniting debate over control of inmates in Cypriot jails. Taner Tolga Tarlaci, a former contestant on the reality show Survivor, is serving an 18-year sentence at Central Prisons for rape, unlawful detention with intent to sexually abuse a woman, and making threats against her. He committed the offences in Paralimni in April 2022. Video and audio clips published on August 14 and 15 showed Tarlaci speaking from prison with a person he identified as a Turkish journalist making a podcast. He claimed his conviction was unjust and said he had contacted the entrepreneur Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump about his case. The clips also suggested Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was aware of the case, and reports said Tarlaci had asked to be extradited to Turkey. Reports on Turkish Cypriot news websites claimed, without providing evidence, that the recording had been made and leaked using a mobile phone. The ministry rejected that claim. It said the communication had been approved and took place in a supervised, approved location, adding that Tarlaci “did not possess or use a mobile phone” and had no uncontrolled access to the internet. The approval, it noted, covered communication with a declared person abroad rather than a media interview, and the recording appeared to have been made abroad by that person without the Prisons Department’s knowledge or approval. It added that prison procedures were under review to be strengthened where required. The ministry said prisoners are entitled to two online calls a month through the Microsoft Teams system, describing this as particularly important for foreign inmates whose relatives live abroad and cannot visit. philenews attempted to contact Justice Minister Costas Fytiris about the incident but was told by the ministry that a statement would be issued instead. philenews also found no verbatim comment by Tarlaci during the interview claiming that he or fellow inmates use mobile phones, despite a report suggesting he made such a claim; other Turkish Cypriot media carried no direct quote to that effect either, only assertions by the outlets’ own writers. Although the phone-use claims were unsubstantiated, they revived debate over mobile phone use by inmates and the system meant to block such devices at Central Prisons. Since taking over the justice portfolio, Fytiris has said resolving the issue is a priority. Following an expanded meeting on January 20, the ministry said implementation of a mobile-phone jamming system was progressing, with timelines of three to six months set for that and related goals. In an interview with Politis on Sunday, July 12, Fytiris said two of three electronic systems designed to prevent mobile phone use and the smuggling of illegal items or substances by drone had already been installed, with a mobile-signal jamming system still expected to follow. On July 31, appearing on ANT1’s Mera Mesimeri programme, Fytiris said the situation had improved but was not yet fully resolved. “I don’t want to present things as ideal,” he said, adding that the problem would be eliminated once the third system, which cuts mobile phone signal inside the prison, was installed. He said he expected it to be in place by the end of the year. Mobile phone use by inmates was criminalised under a legislative amendment introduced while Marios Chartsiotis was justice minister. Article 27(2) of the Prisons Law prohibits any person, whether an inmate or not, from possessing, using, or bringing a mobile phone or other portable communication device into prisons, or removing one from prisons. Conviction under the law carries a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine of up to 6,000 euros, or both. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Elderly driver seriously hurt after car hits house wall in Paphos The Iran war has exposed Europe’s fossil-fuel vulnerability Crosta Nostra: Southern Italy on a plate Binge it or skip it: Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen – A match made in hell Taverna Koutsonikolia: a fixture of Karpasia’s culinary tradition 40 degrees on Thursday before expected Saturday rain and storms Back After Summer – From Sunday Anxiety to Monday Peace Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.