Three of five Greek Cypriots have been released on bail by the unrecognised “military court” in occupied Nicosia, following their appearance on Wednesday on charges of property invasion and public nuisance.
The remaining two defendants will have their bail hearings at the “Iskele (Larnaca) District Court” on Friday, according to “court” officials in the occupied territory.
Police officer admits name match with Aykut complainant
During the “trial,” a “police officer” involved in the arrests admitted to the “court” that one defendant shared the same name as a person on an alleged list of Greek Cypriots who have filed complaints against property developer Shimon Aykut, according to Yeni Duzen.
The testimony revealed that “authorities” in the occupied north are in possession of a list containing names of people who filed complaints against Aykut, the Israeli-Turkish developer currently facing trial in the Republic of Cyprus.
Two remaining defendants await Friday bail hearing
The defendants faced charges including “property invasion” and “general nuisance” during Thursday’s proceedings in the occupied capital. The unrecognised “court” granted bail to three of the five suspects following their appearance before the “military tribunal”.
The two defendants who were not granted bail on Thursday will appear at the “Iskele District Court” on Friday for their bail hearings.
The case occurs against the backdrop of the high-profile prosecution of Shimon Aykut, who is accused of developing and selling tens of millions worth of property on Greek Cypriot land in the north. Aykut, 75, has been detained in Cyprus for over nine months and is suing President Nikos Christodoulides for hundreds of millions in damages.
The arrests of the five Greek Cypriots in July are viewed as retaliatory measures following recent prosecutions against individuals accused of illegally seizing Greek Cypriot properties.
The European Court of Human Rights has recognised Turkey’s obligation to protect the property rights of Greek Cypriot owners in the north.