**German Embassy Demands Release of Woman Held for Two Years in Northern Cyprus Property Case**
The German embassy in Nicosia has issued a strong protest regarding the detention of a woman who has been held in custody for two years on charges related to the advertising of real estate in northern Cyprus, originally owned by Greek Cypriots. The embassy's call for her release was reported by the German newspaper Bild, which highlighted the ongoing diplomatic concern over the case.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed in the reports, was arrested in 2024 following a conversation on a flight with Geadis Geadi, an Elam member of the European Parliament. Prosecutors allege that during this conversation, she admitted to selling property that belonged to Greek Cypriots in the northern part of the island. Since her arrest, she has remained in custody, with her most recent bail request denied by the court. The court justified the denial by stating that the 25 months she has spent in custody is warranted due to the complexity of the case.
The legal proceedings surrounding her case have been contentious, with accusations directed at the Cypriot authorities regarding the legality of the procedures followed during her arrest and subsequent detention. In May, the Nicosia criminal court ruled that a European investigation order, which was issued by the Nicosia district court to compel German authorities to gather evidence against her, was legally valid. The woman’s legal team contended that only the criminal court had the authority to issue such orders, but the court found that district courts also possess this capability.
In total, four European investigation orders have been issued in relation to the case, with the first two orders dated July 18 and July 26, 2024, and the latter two on September 13 of the same year. Additionally, previous court decisions have deemed the seizure of her luggage and the search of her electronic devices as illegal, rendering the evidence obtained from these actions unconstitutional and impermissible in court.
This case is part of a broader effort by the Republic of Cyprus to crack down on individuals accused of illegally advertising the sale of and developing properties that belong to Greek Cypriots in the north. A notable case in this context involved Israeli property developer Simon Aykut, who was sentenced to five years in prison in October of last year after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the development and sale of Greek Cypriot property. He was subsequently sent to Israel in April to serve the remainder of his sentence.
The diplomatic tensions surrounding the woman's detention reflect the ongoing complexities of property rights and legal jurisdiction in Cyprus, particularly in relation to properties that were owned by Greek Cypriots before the division of the island in 1974. The German embassy's intervention underscores the international implications of the case and the scrutiny it has attracted from foreign governments.
As the situation develops, the German embassy continues to advocate for the woman's release, while the Cypriot authorities maintain their stance on the legal proceedings. The case remains a focal point of discussion regarding property rights and legal processes in the context of the ongoing division of Cyprus.