Recent legal actions initiated by the Republic of Cyprus have created significant uncertainty within the property market in the north of the island. These actions, targeting developers and real estate agents, highlight the profound legal and political divisions that persist. To understand the current situation, it is helpful to examine the context and details of the key cases.
The Republic of Cyprus: Position and Specific Actions
The legal framework of the Republic of Cyprus views any land for which a Greek Cypriot holds a pre-1974 title deed as their legal property. Consequently, any construction, development, or sale of that land without the owner’s consent is considered a crime under its laws, including trespassing and the illegal sale of property. Based on this legal position, authorities have issued international arrest warrants for individuals involved in such transactions.
It is important to note that this legal dispute does not affect properties with a pre-1974 Turkish title deed. Land that was owned by Turkish Cypriots before the island’s division is considered legally secure, with its title being undisputed and recognized by the Republic of Cyprus itself.
The Case of Simon Aykut
A central figure in these events is Simon Aykut, an Israeli businessman and owner of the Afik Group. His company is one of the largest developers in the north, known for its extensive “Caesar” brand projects in regions such as İskele (Trikomo) and Esentepe (Agios Amvrosios).
The warrant against Mr. Aykut was executed when he crossed into the Republic of Cyprus-controlled territory, where he was detained by Republic of Cyprus police. The charges brought against him are reported to include conspiracy to commit a felony and the illegal development and sale of land belonging to Greek Cypriots in the Famagusta district. His defense team has argued for his release on bail, presenting medical documents that state he has been diagnosed with cancer and requires ongoing treatment.
The Case of Eva Künzel
Another case involves Eva Künzel, a German real estate agent who markets properties located in the north of Cyprus. The legal action against her was initiated following an unusual series of events. According to reports, while on a flight, Ms. Künzel had a conversation with a passenger seated next to her, during which she discussed her real estate work. Coincidentally, the man she spoke with was a member of the Greek Cypriot parliament representing the ELAM party. This politician subsequently provided testimony against her in a court in the Republic of Cyprus, using their conversation as evidence of her involvement in transactions with properties on Greek Cypriot-owned land.
The Turkish Cypriot Authorities: Position and Response
For a balanced viewpoint, it is important to report the position of the Turkish Cypriot authorities, who view the legal actions as politically motivated and without legal standing.
- Jurisdiction and the IPC: Their primary argument is that the courts in the south have no authority to rule on matters within the north. They maintain that the exclusive legal framework for property is that of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). For resolving historical property claims, they point to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), a body recognized by the European Court of Human Rights as an effective domestic remedy that Greek Cypriots must exhaust.
- Political Motivation: TRNC officials have stated that they believe these legal actions are strategically designed to disrupt the north’s economy and create a climate of fear to deter foreign investment. They note the timing of the events, where after a long period with very few such cases, several emerged suddenly, suggesting coordinated political pressure rather than routine legal enforcement.
In any case, it is important to clarify that these legal developments do not render all property transactions in the north of Cyprus illegal. Regardless of one’s political or legal position, properties with a pre-1974 Turkish title deed are not subject to these disputes. This website is designed as a resource to identify precisely these types of undisputed properties, offering legal clarity for visitors and investors.
It remains to be seen how these events will develop and if the situation will escalate further.