Tekin Birinci, Turkish Cypriot Business Pioneer, Laid to Rest in Lefkoşa

Tekin Birinci, founder and honorary president of Birinci Holding and a leading figure in the Turkish Cypriot business community, died after a sudden heart failure. His son Ertan Birinci announced the death on social media, expressing deep grief and describing his father's contributions to the island’s economy.

The funeral was held the next day in Lefkoşa, with the afternoon prayer at İsmail Safa Mosque followed by burial at the Lefkoşa Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by Northern Cyprus presidents Tufan Erhürman, Merhmet Ali Talat and Mustafa Akıncı, parliament speaker Ziya Öztürk, Turkish ambassador Ali Murat Başçerian, as well as numerous business leaders, politicians, diplomats and members of civil society. Grandson Deniz Birinci delivered a tribute, highlighting his grandfather’s role in the Turkish Cypriot economic and social life.