Two Greek Cypriots from among five individuals arrested in the occupied north on 19 July have been released on conditional bail until their next “court “hearing, following the release of three others on bail yesterday.
The Trikomo “District Court” in the occupied areas decided to release the two Greek Cypriots, who are a couple, after they appeared before it today. They were banned from leaving the occupied north.
Bail was set at 100,000 Turkish Lira for each person, whilst their travel documents were confiscated.
Arrests spark international condemnation
The five individuals were arrested on 19 July in Trikomo whilst visiting their ancestral properties. They face charges of “espionage,” “entering a military zone,” and “disturbing the peace.”
The European Parliament has condemned the arrests as “politically motivated” and a “flagrant violation of human rights,” demanding their immediate release. The arrests are widely viewed as retaliatory actions by the occupying regime.
The Republic of Cyprus has been cracking down on international developers who build on Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied north, issuing international arrest warrants for developers and buyers involved in such activities.
The government of the Republic of Cyprus has described the detention as “unlawful, provocative, and inhumane treatment” and accused Turkey of orchestrating the arrests to intimidate Greek Cypriots who visit the occupied areas.
The next court hearing was set for 19 September.