France to extradite Lithuanian over occupied area property usurpation

Local Cyprus problemfrancepropertiesTop News France to extradite Lithuanian over occupied area property usurpation France To Extradite Lithuanian Over Occupied Area Property Usurping Relevant News France to extradite Lithuanian over occupied area property usurpation 7 July 2026 Cyprus finances improved most since pandemic, ESM finds 7 July 2026 Fourth tourist remanded over Ayia Napa assault, puncher identified 7 July 2026 Newsroom 7 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal in France, in a decision dated July 1, 2026, accepted a request to execute a European Arrest Warrant issued by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus against a Lithuanian national, in relation to the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas of the Republic. The Law Office described the decision as extremely important. According to the Law Office, the suspect was arrested in France on May 16, 2026, in the context of a criminal case. The same court had previously ruled, on December 10, 2025, in a case of the same nature, rejecting the execution of a similar European Arrest Warrant issued by Cyprus against an Iranian national, also suspected of offences involving the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas. The Law Office said this very positive development is the result of a coordinated and intensive effort by a large team of its legal officers, drawn from the International Law Sector, the Criminal Law Sector and the Fugitives Sector, under the guidance of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General, together with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, in cooperation with the relevant French prosecuting authorities, based on the principle of mutual trust that is fundamental to judicial cooperation between EU member states for the effective application of the European Arrest Warrant framework. Specifically, the Republic of Cyprus, following a request submitted to the French court, was authorised to participate, through lawyers appointed by the Attorney General, in the proceedings before the Court of Appeal. In this context, Cyprus set out its legal positions on the correct interpretation of Protocol No. 10 to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union, based on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the application of the institutional framework for the execution of European Arrest Warrants in relation to the specific usurpation offences committed in the occupied areas. These actions resulted in a complete reversal of the reasoning behind the December 10, 2025 decision issued by the same French Court of Appeal on a request to execute a European Arrest Warrant against the Iranian national, with the French Court of Appeal ruling, in the present case, that the fact that the offences under investigation were committed in areas of the Republic of Cyprus where the government does not exercise effective control does not exclude the application of the EU acquis, nor does it prevent the execution of a European Arrest Warrant issued by a competent court of the Republic of Cyprus. The Law Office said the court also stressed that the suspension of the application of the EU acquis in the occupied areas under Protocol No. 10 to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union must be interpreted narrowly, and does not exclude the application of EU law in relation to decisions by Cypriot courts concerning offences against immovable property in the occupied areas. Further, according to the Law Office, the French Court of Appeal underlined that the so-called “TRNC” in the occupied areas is the result of a serious violation of international law, which prohibits the use of force and the acquisition of territory by force. As such, there is an obligation not to recognise this unlawful situation, and to refrain from any action that would contribute to its maintenance. The Law Office said the decision confirms the correct interpretation and application of EU law in connection with the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus over offences committed in the occupied areas, as well as adherence to the fundamental principles of international law, with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus over its territory, and corrects the previous, mistaken approach taken by the French Court of Appeal. Read more: Erhürman says lawsuits cannot resolve Cyprus property issue Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Cyprus finances improved most since pandemic, ESM finds Fourth tourist remanded over Ayia Napa assault, puncher identified Pyla complex sewage threatens public health, Oroklini residents say (photos) FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16 – Portugal vs Spain Cyprus problem to feature in Costa-Erdoğan Ankara meeting Things to do on Tuesday, July 7 ‘See you in court, Mr. Zuckerberg’: Cypriot lawyer sues Meta over free speech Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.