Significant Evidence Found in Pharmacy During Investigation into Fake Prescription

A pharmacist and a pharmacy assistant arrested in Famagusta as part of the investigation into fake prescriptions were brought to Famagusta District Court. The court ruled that the suspects should remain in custody for an additional two days.

Police Sergeant Mehmet Emin Doğan, who serves in the Special Investigation Branch of the General Directorate of Police, testified in court that the suspects had been preparing fake prescriptions for many patients, allegedly impersonating a doctor who is currently in custody, between January and August 2023. These fake prescriptions, for patients who were not examined and were not prescribed any medication, were then submitted to the Social Insurance Department to fraudulently obtain money.

Doğan stated that during the search conducted at the pharmacy owner's workplace on September 29, several pieces of evidence related to the case were found, including a computer, medication receipts, and insurance prescriptions, all of which were seized as evidence. He also mentioned that the pharmacy owner voluntarily surrendered to the police on the same day and was brought before the court, where a 3-day detention order for investigative purposes was issued.

According to Doğan, the pharmacy assistant was also arrested on the same day by court order, as their connection to the case was established, and they were brought before the court, where a 3-day detention order was issued.

Doğan requested an extension of the detention for an additional 8 days, explaining that the investigation was ongoing and that the investigating officer required more time.

Prosecutor Fırat Kızıltunçlar concurred, stating that the investigation was still ongoing and that the investigating officer needed the additional time. He approved the request for an extension but reduced it to 2 days.

The defense lawyer for the suspects, Burçin Sertbay, expressed no objection to Prosecutor Fırat Kızıltunçlar's statement and indicated that they would not object if the 8-day request was reduced to 2 days.

Judge Aysu Çakan Alakan emphasized that the investigation had not yet been completed, and the suspects were still under investigation. She ruled that the suspects should remain in police custody for an additional 2 days.

Source: TAK