Nicosia, Cyprus. The appeals court has upheld the conviction of a landlord found guilty of burgling premises he had rented out and stealing a tenant’s belongings after a dispute over unpaid rent. The court rejected all grounds of appeal in its July 16 ruling.
Conviction upheld
The landlord was convicted of burglary and theft of items valued at €2,850 from premises leased as a nightclub.
He had also faced charges of extorting money from two people to whom he sold the tenant’s belongings after claiming they were his own. The trial court acquitted him of those charges.
Landlord’s argument rejected
According to the judgment, the landlord admitted changing the locks and selling the tenant’s belongings.
He said the tenant owed rent and that he had informed him the lease was terminated and the items would be sold to recover the debt. He argued that he had acted in a “state of emergency”.
The appeals court rejected the argument, stating that the landlord had been aware of available legal procedures to protect his rights but had chosen to act as he did.
Judicial remedy available
The court found the emergency claim unfounded, noting that the landlord had a judicial remedy available and had provided no evidence of irreparable damage resulting from the tenant’s failure to pay.
The appellant also argued that the trial court had incorrectly assessed the evidence and had not properly considered his claim that he believed he was acting lawfully and had no intention to defraud.
The appeals court found all grounds of appeal unfounded and dismissed the appeal in its entirety.