Fatma Ünal sentenced to five years in prison for fake diploma fraud

A Nicosia Heavy Penal Court has sentenced Fatma Ünal, the former Girne Women's Branch President of the National Unity Party (UBP), to five years in prison. The ruling follows her conviction on 16 counts, including the preparation and circulation of forged official documents and unauthorized document issuance.

The case, involving investigations at Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University, is being treated as a “pilot case” for broader fake diploma inquiries. Prosecutors presented evidence from phone records, electronic correspondence, and university files indicating that Ünal was aware of the fraudulent master's degree, grade, and transcript processes. While the defense argued that no physical diploma existed and that the actions were taken without her knowledge, the court rejected these claims.

Following the verdict, political figures have called for increased oversight in higher education. Concerns were raised regarding the necessity of maintaining nearly 30 universities in the country, with calls for the Council of Higher Education (YÖDAK) and the Ministry of Education to implement stricter audits and potentially close institutions that fail to meet required standards.