Trial of Five Greek Cypriots at Military Court to Resume on September 24

The five Greek Cypriots, who are being tried without detention for allegedly “violating a military restricted area,” appeared again before the Military Court today, where they were heard. The case was postponed to Wednesday, September 24.

Lawyers Uğur Çulhaoğlu and Öncel Polili were present on behalf of the defendants during the hearing, which was presided over by Judge Tutku Candaş.

G.G. (M-66) allegedly entered the TRNC without completing immigration procedures on July 19 around 16:00 through the Akyar Land Gate in Famagusta, violating the military restricted area. The driver A.K. (M-60) and other passengers A.K. (F-60), N.G. (F-63), and A.L. (M-68) were also taken into custody at the time.

DEFENDANTS: G.G. DID NOT HIDE, THERE WAS NO REASON TO

During the hearing, the prosecutor stated that no additional witnesses would be called before the defendants were heard.

The five defendants explained their seating arrangement in the vehicle when crossing the Akyar Land Gate and confirmed that they had completed immigration procedures. They also noted that red signs indicated a military zone and that they did not go beyond them.

Four defendants—A.K. (F-60), A.K. (M-60), N.G. (F-63), and A.L. (M-68)—stated that G.G. had also completed immigration procedures at the checkpoint, adding, “G.G. did not hide, and there was no reason for him to do so.”

PROSECUTOR: NO REASONABLE PERSON WOULD CARRY FILES TO SHOW FRIENDS THEIR PROPERTY

The prosecutor questioned A.K. (M-60), the driver, during the hearing, challenging the claim that all identities had been handed to the officer. The prosecutor argued that the way the IDs were held and handed over would not allow the other passengers to see them, stating, “It cannot be confirmed that five IDs were handed over. The ID of G.G. was not presented.”

The prosecutor also suggested that the defendants crossed into the TRNC to inspect properties belonging to A.K. (F-60) before 1974, allegedly to file a case in the Greek Cypriot administration. He claimed that the presence of a folder in the vehicle supported this, arguing, “No reasonable person carries a folder just to show friends their property,” and accused G.G. of trying to avoid entering TRNC records because he knew an inspection would take place, with other defendants allowing it.

DEFENDANT A.K.: I AM A REASONABLE PERSON; WE DID NOT FILE A CASE AND HAVE NO INTENTION TO

A.K. (M-60), the driver, denied the claims, saying, “I am a reasonable person. We did not file a case, nor do we intend to.” He added that he always checked and counted IDs before handing them to the officer along with insurance documents.

Responding to the prosecutor’s claim that G.G. switched seats with A.L. and moved to the back to hide before crossing the checkpoint, A.K. said that A.L. sat in front because of his size.

After hearing the defendants, lawyer Uğur Çulhaoğlu requested to call two additional witnesses.

The trial was adjourned to Wednesday, September 24 at 10:30 to allow the defense to present its witnesses.