A French appeals court has approved the extradition of a Lithuanian national to Cyprus in connection with an investigation into the alleged usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied areas, in what the Republic’s Legal Service has described as a highly significant legal development.
In a statement, the Legal Service said the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence accepted on 1 July 2026 the execution of a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Cypriot authorities.
The suspect was arrested in France on 16 May 2026 as part of the criminal investigation.
Reversal of previous ruling
The Legal Service noted that the same French court had rejected a similar European Arrest Warrant in December 2025 involving an Iranian national accused of offences related to the alleged usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied areas.
It said the latest decision followed a coordinated effort by legal officers from its International Law, Criminal Law and Extraditions divisions, working under the guidance of the Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the French prosecuting authorities.
Cyprus participated in proceedings
According to the Legal Service, the French court authorised the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the proceedings through lawyers appointed by the Attorney General.
Cyprus presented legal arguments on the interpretation of Protocol No. 10 of the Act of Accession to the European Union, relying on the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the legal framework governing the execution of European Arrest Warrants.
The Legal Service said those arguments led the court to overturn the reasoning adopted in its December 2025 ruling.
Court’s interpretation
According to the statement, the French court ruled that the fact the alleged offences were committed in areas of the Republic of Cyprus not under the effective control of the government does not prevent the application of EU law or the execution of a European Arrest Warrant issued by a competent Cypriot court.
It also held that the suspension of the EU acquis in the occupied areas under Protocol No. 10 must be interpreted narrowly and does not prevent the application of EU law to decisions of Cypriot courts concerning alleged offences involving immovable property in those areas.
Reference to international law
The Legal Service further said the French court stressed that the self-declared “TRNC” is the result of a serious breach of international law, which prohibits the acquisition of territory by force.
According to the statement, the court said states are under an obligation not to recognise that unlawful situation or take actions that would contribute to its continuation.
The Legal Service said the ruling confirms the correct interpretation of EU law in relation to the jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus over offences allegedly committed in the occupied areas and reinforces respect for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised jurisdiction.
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