Detention of Five Greek Cypriots in the TRNC on Espionage Allegations Taken to the EU

According to Fileleftheros, the Greek Cypriot administration has described the legal proceedings in the TRNC as a “parody,” claiming the five individuals were “abducted” on 19 July and are being “illegally detained.”

Presidential Press Office Director Viktoras Papadopoulos said all five have been brought before a military court and accused the TRNC authorities of “pirate-like,” “provocative,” and “unacceptable” actions, claiming that “every principle of human rights and freedoms has been violated.” He also recalled President Ersin Tatar’s previous statement calling for the arrest of Greek Cypriots collecting information and documents in the TRNC.

Papadopoulos stated that the Greek Cypriot administration has been making every effort for the release of the detainees, maintaining contact with their families, and continuing to lodge complaints with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, the United Nations, and UN Security Council member states.

He further claimed that the detained couple had applied to the Immovable Property Commission in the TRNC for loss of use and restitution, portraying the arrests as a “warning” to property owners seeking to visit their former properties, and as evidence that Turkey has no intention of complying with European Court of Human Rights rulings.

Alithia reported the case under the headline: “Occupied Areas… Two of Five Greek Cypriots ‘Defendants’ for Three Months… Referred to Military Court.”

The Cyprus Bar Association also announced it would lodge a complaint with the European Union and other international bodies, alleging that the five were “arbitrarily” detained for ulterior motives and intimidation. The statement also rejected the legality of TRNC police and courts, claiming they operate in violation of international law and with the aim of “terrorising” and violating human rights.