Arıklı: I will answer in court if my guilt in the Filo Jet disaster is established

Erhan Arıklı, leader of the Rebirth Party (YDP), who was dismissed as the TRNC minister of public works and transport after the Filo Jet ferry disaster, said he was ready to answer in court if the investigation establishes his guilt or negligence.

He published the statement on social media on September 18. According to him, the circumstances of the disaster must be fully clarified, and everyone responsible must answer before the law. Arıklı recalled that he had met with the families of those who died and heard their pain and expectations directly.

He also said that the day after the disaster, he had contacted Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure with a request to send an accident investigation team to Northern Cyprus.

Arıklı separately explained why he does not attend court hearings: he does not want the independent proceedings to turn into a political dispute and intensify the families’ pain. At the same time, he stressed that if he is summoned, he will come.

The Filo Jet ferry sank on August 30 shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia for Taşucu in Turkey. Most of those on board were rescued, while 14 people died. Arıklı was dismissed on September 2, followed by several other officials from the transport department and port administration, and the YDP withdrew from the governing coalition.