A group of roughly 1,000 Turkish nationals — flown in on chartered planes to boost turnout at the inauguration of a new presidential complex in northern Cyprus by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — clashed among themselves over the limited quantity of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at the airport, according to the local Bugün Kıbrıs news outlet.
The altercation broke out as travelers tried to take advantage of lower prices in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), a state recognized only by Ankara, compared to those in Turkey.
According to the newspaper, scuffles occurred primarily among young attendees, with some disputes reportedly involving members of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Authorities have yet to release an official statement about the incident. It remains unclear whether any injuries were sustained or arrests were made.
The people were reportedly brought in amid concerns that local turnout for the ceremony attended by Erdoğan would fall short.
The high-profile event marked the unveiling of a controversial government complex, which critics have dubbed the “baby külliye” — a smaller-scale version of Turkey’s presidential palace in Ankara seen as a symbol of centralized power — and has faced opposition from segments of the Turkish Cypriot community. Detractors argue the project reflects increasing political dependence on Ankara and lacks genuine grassroots support in the KKTC.
Erdoğan’s visit to northern Cyprus has been widely viewed as a move to reinforce Turkey’s political and financial backing of the Turkish Cypriot leadership.
The trip, his first official visit to the region since his 2023 reelection, included the formal opening of the new presidential and parliamentary complex in North Nicosia — the capital of the KKTC — as well as his participation in the TEKNOFEST awards ceremony, part of a state-sponsored aerospace and technology initiative aimed at fostering youth innovation.
The new government complex, financed and built by TOKİ, Turkey’s state-run housing development agency, spans more than 600,000 square meters and houses offices for the presidency, parliament and prime ministry along with landscaped public grounds.
The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, continues to recognize the Republic of Cyprus as the island’s sole legitimate government, leaving the KKTC diplomatically isolated.
As a result, Erdoğan’s visit and the high-profile development have drawn both regional and international scrutiny, viewed as part of a broader effort to solidify Turkey’s influence over the breakaway territory.