**Title: Lithuanian Estate Agent to be Extradited for Allegedly Usurping Greek Cypriot Property in Northern Cyprus**
A Lithuanian estate agent, accused of "usurping" property owned by Greek Cypriots in northern Cyprus, is set to be extradited to the island following her arrest in France. The arrest was made under a European arrest warrant, which has sparked significant legal proceedings.
The estate agent was apprehended at Nice airport and subsequently appealed against the enforcement of the European arrest warrant. A French court had earlier ruled in a separate case involving Iranian national Behdad Jafari, stating that due to the suspension of the European Union's acquis communautaire in northern Cyprus, it could not be applied there. However, this ruling does not create a binding precedent for future cases, as France operates under a civil law system, unlike Cyprus, which follows common law.
In this instance, the French court determined that the European arrest warrant against the Lithuanian national could indeed be executed, paving the way for her extradition to Cyprus to face charges in court.
This case is part of a broader effort by the Republic of Cyprus to address the issue of property usurpation in the north, which has been a contentious topic since the division of the island. In recent years, the Cypriot government has intensified its actions against individuals and entities accused of illegally advertising and developing properties that belong to Greek Cypriots.
One notable case involved Israeli property developer Simon Aykut, who was sentenced to five years in prison last October after pleading guilty to numerous charges related to the illegal sale and development of Greek Cypriot property. Aykut was subsequently sent back to Israel in April to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Additionally, the German embassy in Nicosia has expressed strong concerns regarding the treatment of individuals accused of similar offenses. They recently protested the continued detention of a woman who has been held for two years on charges of advertising real estate in northern Cyprus that is owned by Greek Cypriots. This woman was arrested in 2024 after allegedly admitting to selling such properties during a conversation on a flight with Geadis Geadi, a member of the European Parliament from the Elam party.
The situation has drawn criticism from Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, who has condemned the Republic of Cyprus's approach to dealing with property-related offenses. He argued that it is unjust to hold individuals accountable for issues stemming from the broader political conflict over the island, emphasizing that the property question is part of the larger Cyprus problem.
As the extradition process moves forward, the Lithuanian estate agent will soon face the legal consequences of the allegations against her in Cyprus, as the government continues its efforts to address property disputes that have persisted since the division of the island.