Nicosia, Cyprus. Trikomo’s Greek Cypriot mukhtar-in-exile Iacovos Hadjivarnavas criticised plans to transfer Israeli prisoner Simon Aykut to Israel to serve the remainder of his sentence, calling the decision unacceptable.
Background to Aykut case
Aykut was sentenced to five years in prison in October last year after pleading guilty to 40 charges related to the development and sale of Greek Cypriot property in the north, most of which was in the Trikomo area.
Hadjivarnavas’ objections
Speaking on television channel Sigma on Friday, Hadjivarnavas said accepting the proposition to send Aykut to Israel was “unacceptable”. He said the public should be informed if there is a public reason behind the decision, adding that without an explanation “no one knows” what lies behind it.
He said the move would leave displaced persons and owners of occupied land exposed and would negate the government’s initial decision to pursue and imprison Aykut.
Warnings over broader impact
Hadjivarnavas said the case could send “dangerous messages” to potential usurpers by suggesting they can proceed with exploitation of land in the occupied territories and later be allowed to leave. He added it could also signal to displaced persons that they cannot be protected and would be pushed to bargain their properties away.
He referred to recent government promises to crack down on crime, asking whether there is a greater crime than a third party exploiting someone’s property, being imprisoned, and then being released. He called for authorities to inform the public of the reasons behind the decision.
Concerns about credibility and property issue
Hadjivarnavas warned that transferring Aykut to Israel would reduce the credibility of the Republic of Cyprus as a state governed by law. He also said the property issue is not only an asset matter but a national and institutional problem.
What explanation, if any, should authorities provide to the public about the planned transfer of Simon Aykut to Israel?