With the arrest of the young man from Israel, the cases of illegal exploitation of properties in the occupied territories reached three in 2024. The suspect claimed in his testimony that he did not know that the house he was advertising belonged to Greek Cypriot
The third arrest this year for cases of usurpation of Greek Cypriot assets shows that the government's change of attitude is paying off. This is a 25-year-old Israeli, who lived and worked in Limassol on behalf of a company of foreign interests. The young man was arrested while leaving Cyprus via Paphos airport and was brought before the Nicosia District Court which ordered his detention for five days.
According to the data obtained so far by the investigators of the Headquarters, the 25-year-old advertised in his personal accounts and in online purchases on Social Media (facebook & Instagram) the sale of a residence in the occupied Karavas. Of decisive importance is the testimony of the legal Greek Cypriot owner of the house, who was informed of the advertisements posted by the suspect and then informed the Police.
It is noted that with the termination of the 25-year-old's employment at the company that employed him, his residence permit in Cyprus was also terminated and therefore he had to leave. The 25-year-old was arrested by virtue of a court warrant at Paphos airport, where he had gone to depart for another European country.
When questioned, the suspect claimed that he did not know that the house belonged to a Greek Cypriot. From the Police investigations it appears that he was not the buyer of the house. The competent authorities of the Republic are investigating whether this was an isolated incident or whether the 25-year-old Israeli was more involved in attracting customers to buy real estate in the occupied territories.
Offenses related to fraudulent transactions, real estate belonging to another, illegal possession, possession and use of land registered to another and money laundering from illegal activities and other related offenses are being investigated against him.
Register
And for the new case of usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties, all the competent agencies are in consultation. According to information, from the data, evidence and testimonies secured, the Police intend to register the case and the 25-year-old Israeli to be referred to a trial before a Criminal Court. The entry will probably take place next Monday or Tuesday. In addition, it will be decided whether the suspect will remain under trial in the Central Prisons until the trial of the case begins.
Three before the Criminal Court
With the registration of the new usurpation case, before the Criminal Court in Nicosia, there will be a total of three cases for adjudication. The other two cases are set for September 9 and 17 respectively. From the Police data it appears that the three cases are not related to each other.
The first case concerns 73-year-old Shimon Mistriel Aykout. The indictment on which he was arraigned includes 124 felonies, three counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, a felony and a misdemeanor, 10 counts of fraudulently dealing in real property of others, 58 counts of unlawful possession and use of land registered in the name of others and 53 counts of money laundering. The mentioned immovable property concerns properties occupied by the Turkish army, in villages of Famagusta (Gastria, Akanthou, Trikomos) and Kyrenia (Agios Ambrosios), in which properties residential or tourist units are being built (Caesar Blue Resort, Caesar Beach, Caesar Bay, Caesar Cliff Resort).
For the second case, the accused is the 49-year-old German Ewa Isabella Künzel who runs the company Vepa Immobilen, which promotes the sale of real estate in the occupied territories. On her company's website she advertises that she is selling properties in the tourist complexes “Olive Trees Village”, “Aelita Garden Resort” and “Albatros Esentepe” in the occupied Agios Ambrosios of Kyrenia. The Police investigation identified purchase and sale contracts for properties in residential complexes under development in Agios Ambrosios, Kyrenia, commissions that the suspect allegedly received from the sales she made in the occupied properties, as well as material (videos and photos) that she advertises on her company's website available properties for sale.
Warrant Pending
It is recalled that an arrest warrant is pending against the German Martin Josef Rikels for another case of illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot assets. The German, who lives permanently in the occupied territories, was notified by the Police at the Agios Dometio roadblock that he was called to give a statement. He signed the summons document and returned to the possessions where he resides. In the end, he never presented himself to the Police for a statement, while further evidence was secured implicating him in a case of embezzlement. All actions were taken against him to secure a European and international arrest warrant.
Special Echelon
A special unit and investigative team has been set up at the Headquarters Crime Investigation Department to deal with cases of usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied territories. In addition to investigating existing cases, the same police team investigates and processes any information that comes to them, either from Greek Cypriot property owners in the occupied territories or from other sources.
According to information, the investigations, which are ongoing , are focused in specific directions. The large developments in the occupied areas within the Greek Cypriot properties have already been recorded. In this direction, statements have already been received from dozens of Greek Cypriot owners. Details of how sales are being promoted in these developments have subsequently been secured. The details of the building companies as well as the brokerage offices advertising the sales were secured. In addition, the investigations are extended to Social Media and persons who promote the sale of real estate in the occupied territories.
