Five Greek Cypriots were detained by Turkish Cypriot “authorities” on Saturday, July 19, 2025, just before the 51st anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The individuals, all elderly, were reportedly visiting their properties in the occupied town of Trikomo (Yeni İskele) when they were arrested on suspicion of “spying.”
The five are believed to be displaced persons visiting their former properties. They are expected to remain in custody as investigations continue.
The detentions are believed to be a retaliatory measure following recent prosecutions against individuals accused of illegally seizing Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied north. Earlier this week, a Greek national was also arrested on similar charges and remains in custody, signaling a pattern of such “retaliatory measures” as previously announced by the occupying regime.
The Republic of Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed and is taking diplomatic steps, including contact with the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
The 1974 Turkish invasion led to the displacement of an estimated 160,000 Greek Cypriots from the North to the South. These individuals were forced to leave behind their homes, land, and businesses.
The Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized as the legitimate government of the entire island) maintains that the legal ownership of these properties still rests with the Greek Cypriot displaced persons. The “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), recognized only by Turkey, does not have the legal jurisdiction to perform valid property transfers according to international law and numerous UN resolutions.
The right to property is a fundamental human right. Greek Cypriots argue that their inability to access and use their properties in the North constitutes a continuing violation of their human rights.
A landmark European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling in the case of Loizidou v. Turkey (1996) affirmed the right of Greek Cypriots to their properties in the North and held Turkey responsible for violations.
Allegations and “evidence” against arrested Greek Cypriots
Turkish Cypriot media reported on Sunday, July 20, 2025, that the five Greek Cypriots were allegedly found with property deeds, maps, and records naming directors of construction companies operating in the occupied areas.
According to Kibris Postasi, the group was detained after allegedly entering a tourist resort in the Trikomo area without permission and are being investigated on suspicion of “espionage against Turkish properties” and “violating a military forbidden zone.” They have been remanded for three days.
The report states the group entered the resort around 5:15 PM on Saturday and were detained following complaints from local residents. During a vehicle search, Turkish Cypriot “police” reportedly seized numerous maps, property documents with notes, and files listing construction companies and their directors. It was also claimed that one individual had gathered real estate information from a Kyrenia-based company. Their mobile phones were also confiscated.
Other news outlets, Ahbap and Hakikat Newspaper, echoed similar claims, referencing “illegal entry,” “causing public disturbance,” and “suspicions of espionage,” with allegations of finding property deeds, construction company folders, and documents listing directors’ names. They also stated the group entered the north without standard “entry procedures” and violated a designated military area.
Related: Cyprus Jails Hungarians Selling Properties in Turkish-Occupied North
