German embassy protests over detention of woman accused in Cyprus property case
Germany’s embassy in Nicosia has reportedly demanded the release of a woman held for 25 months in a case involving Greek Cypriot-owned property in the north.
Nicosia, Cyprus. The German embassy in Nicosia has issued a “strong protest” and demanded the release of a woman held in custody for 25 months in connection with allegations that she advertised Greek Cypriot-owned property in northern Cyprus.
According to German newspaper Bild, the embassy is “protesting strongly, demanding her release”, while Cypriot authorities have not accepted the request.
Arrest and detention
The woman was arrested in 2024 after a conversation aboard a flight with Elam member of the European Parliament Geadis Geadi. Prosecutors allege that she admitted during the conversation to selling Greek Cypriot-owned property in the north.
She has remained in custody since her arrest. At a hearing on Friday, the court rejected her latest application for bail, stating that the 25 months she has spent in custody were justified by the complexity of the case.
European investigation orders
The case has included accusations against Cypriot authorities over procedures followed before and after her arrest.
In May, the Nicosia criminal court ruled that a European investigation order issued by the Nicosia district court, requiring German authorities to collect evidence against her, had been issued legally.
Her lawyers argued that the district court was not authorised to issue such an order and that only the criminal court could do so. The criminal court ruled that district courts may also issue European investigation orders.
Four such orders were issued in relation to the woman: two on July 18 and July 26, 2024, and two on September 13 that year.
Evidence ruling
The same court had previously ruled that the seizure of the woman’s luggage and the search of her electronic devices were illegal, describing the resulting evidence as “unconstitutional” and “impermissible”.
The case comes as the Republic of Cyprus has increased efforts in recent years to prosecute people accused of illegally advertising the sale of, or erecting buildings on, Greek Cypriot-owned property in the north.
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