Nicosia, Cyprus. Convicted Israeli businessman Simon Aykut has been transferred to Israel to serve the remainder of his prison sentence following a formal request under an agreement governing prisoner transfers to their country of origin. Aykut arrived in Israel on Friday after departing the republic.
Transfer under prisoner agreement
Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said Cyprus was required to comply with Israel’s request to transfer Aykut to serve his sentence there. He said the issue was special due to the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories, but stressed that legal commitments had to be respected.
Conviction and charges
Aykut was sentenced to five years in prison for the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the north after pleading guilty to 40 charges linked to the development and sale of Greek Cypriot land.
He initially faced 242 charges, including 60 related to fraudulent real estate transactions, 60 to possession of stolen land, 62 to money laundering and 60 to conspiracy to commit a crime.
Projects cited by prosecutors
During court proceedings, prosecution lawyer Andreas Aristides said Aykut’s company, Afik Group, developed tourist and residential projects offered for sale to an international audience.
Aristides said Aykut participated in the construction and commercial exploitation of six large tourist complexes on land owned by displaced Greek Cypriots, adding that no consent was given by the legal owners for any use of their properties.
The developments included projects known as Caesar Cliff, Caesar Resort, Caesar Beach, Caesar Blue, Caesar Breeze and Caesar Bay.
What do you think the transfer means for enforcement of similar property-related convictions?
