A German estate agent, accused of appropriating Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas, is set to give written testimony in the Nicosia Criminal Court on Monday regarding her prison conditions.
This follows her lawyer’s request for her release under certain conditions.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, her lawyer, Sotiris Argyrou, discussed the conditions of her detention, stating that over the past 18 months, his client had endured what could be described as “humiliating treatment.” He also mentioned the extended duration of her detention and the large number of prosecution witnesses, alongside the “massive” amount of evidence in the case.
The court ruled that the request for her release would not be considered at this stage, and ordered that she remain in custody while her testimony regarding the conditions of her detention, as raised by Argyrou, is prepared in writing. The prosecution will then present written testimony from the Central Prisons regarding the allegations made by Argyrou.
During the hearing, Argyrou submitted a request for his client’s release, proposing that she be allowed to stay at a hotel near the court, provide a bond of up to €600,000, report daily to a police station, surrender her travel documents, or adhere to any other measures deemed appropriate by the court.
He also submitted correspondence regarding her prison conditions, including letters to the Central Prisons, the Commissioner for Administration, and other officials. Furthermore, Argyrou presented a copy of the latest report from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on the Central Prisons, published in April 2025.
Among the issues raised, Argyrou highlighted that the defendant had been denied prescribed medication since December 2024, despite it being available in Cyprus since November 2025. He noted that although the medication had been administered briefly in November and December, it was stopped again in January, only to be reinstated after further correspondence this week. He stressed that many prisoners receive medication, while his client had been deprived of hers for a year.
Arising from a separate incident, Argyrou also mentioned that a mouse’s head was found in the defendant’s food. Following complaints to the police, the defendant was reportedly threatened, and requests were made for her statement to be taken outside the prison. He added that from the time of the incident, she had requested only yogurt and vegetables, but despite this being provided to other prisoners, she was denied the same. As a result, she had to eat whatever canned food was available at the prison canteen.
Arising from further concerns about her treatment, Argyrou explained that for six months, the defendant’s canteen orders were opened in front of everyone, making her a target for other inmates, and on one occasion, she was even robbed.
The defendant also faced difficulties communicating her health issues due to a lack of a translator in the early months of her detention.
Arising from these matters, Argyrou spoke of inhumane treatment and violations of Article 8 of the Constitution. He also emphasized that his client had been detained for 18 months, which he noted is equivalent to two years in prison due to the nature of pre-trial detention. He pointed out that the case involves 64 witnesses and over five million pieces of evidence, and noted that the prosecution has acknowledged ongoing investigations, which may add more witnesses.
Considering the complexity of the case, Argyrou questioned when the prosecution would conclude its case, given the vast amount of evidence, and the conditions under which the defence must review it. He further cited Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, stressing the right to a trial within a reasonable time and the impact of delays on pre-trial detention.
Regarding the delay in the trial, Argyrou referred to European case law, arguing that detention should not be used as a punitive measure, and that alternatives should be considered in proportion to the duration and the reasons for detention.
The representative of the prosecution, Anna Matthaiou, responded that some of the claims, such as those about the lack of a translator, were not supported by the submitted correspondence. She stated that the prison authorities would need to respond to allegations about the conditions of the defendant’s detention.
Matthaiou also clarified that the defendant had requested to be housed with a convicted prisoner, as the prison wings are separated for convicts and pre-trial detainees.
The court decided that the defence should submit a written statement from the defendant regarding the claims made by Argyrou, and the prosecution was also invited to respond in writing. The next hearing dates were set for 26, 28, and 30 January 2026.
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