An “appeal court” in occupied north Cyprus on Monday overturned a three-month detention order for two of five Greek Cypriots held in the occupied territories, though they remain in custody pending “military court” proceedings.
The three-member “appeal panel” accepted by a two-to-one majority vote the “appeal” filed by the two Greek Cypriots against the Trikomo “provincial court’s” 31 July detention ruling.
The original decision mandated their detention for a period not exceeding three months. The “appeal court” majority determined restrictive conditions should have been imposed instead of detention, including 100,000 Turkish lira bail, prohibition from leaving the occupied territories, surrender of travel documents, and mandatory weekly “police station” reporting.
Three-“judge” panel rules by majority vote on bail conditions
The dissenting “judge” ruled the lower “court’s” decision was correct, noting however that the detention period should have been set at one month rather than three.
Despite the appeal ruling, the two Greek Cypriots remain in custody as their detention is based on additional “court orders” that have been issued.
“Military court” hearing scheduled despite appeal ruling
The five detained individuals are scheduled to appear before a “military court” on Wednesday, preventing their immediate release despite the civil “court’s” bail decision.
Republican Turkish Party “MPs” Erkut Sahali and Sami Ozuslu attended Monday’s hearing. Previous “court” sessions were observed by Turkish Cypriot activists and representatives from the United Cyprus Party and New Cyprus Party.
The original detention order was issued in late July following charges against the five Greek Cypriots in the occupied north.
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