Twist in the Aykut case – Admission of 40 charges for usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas
A significant development occurred on Monday before the Permanent Assize Court of Nicosia in the case of 74-year-old businessman Simon Aykut, who is accused of misappropriating Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
During today’s proceedings, the defendant pleaded guilty to 40 of the total 242 charges he faced, while the remaining charges were withdrawn under an agreement between the defence and the prosecution.
The charges to which the 74-year-old businessman pleaded guilty mainly concern fraudulent transactions involving immovable property belonging to others without the consent of the lawful owners.
The immovable property linked to the case concerns plots seized in 1974, which are protected under Cypriot and international law.
During today’s hearing, Aykut’s defence counsel, Maria Neophytou, informed the court of the intention to conclude the trial by having the defendant admit some of the charges and have the rest withdrawn.
The proceedings were adjourned for half an hour to allow the defence and the prosecution to agree on a statement of admitted facts, with the aim of continuing the hearing and proceeding to the assessment of sentence.
Exploited property worth over €36 million – Nearly 400,000 m² of disputed land
Presenting the facts on behalf of the prosecution, Senior Counsel for the Republic Andreas Aristides gave a summary of the 40 charges to which the defendant pleaded guilty, outlining the background and nature of the offences.
He told the Court that the case unfolds within the context of the ongoing Turkish occupation of Cyprus, following the military invasion of July 1974, which led to the forcible displacement of over 160,000 Greek Cypriots.
According to Mr Aristides, the invasion was accompanied by mass confiscation, looting, and misappropriation of property, creating faits accomplis that violate both Cypriot and international law.
He stated that within this context, Simon Aykut, a holder of Israeli, Portuguese, and Turkish citizenship, became active in the occupied areas in the field of land development and real estate, without securing the consent of the lawful Greek Cypriot owners. Between 2014 and 2024, Aykut was involved in the so-called “Afik Group”, which, through companies “registered” in the pseudo-state, developed a series of tourist and residential projects marketed to an international clientele.
During this period, the defendant took part in the construction and commercial exploitation of six major tourist complexes in areas such as Agios Amvrosios, Trikomo, Gastria, and Akanthou, on land belonging to displaced Greek Cypriots. Mr Aristides stressed that no consent was ever given by the lawful owners for the use of their properties.
According to the evidence presented, between 2014 and 2024 the Afik Group built and sold tourist and residential developments in:
- Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia (Ceasar Cliff),
- Trikomo, Famagusta (Ceasar Resort),
- Gastria, Famagusta (Ceasar Beach and Ceasar Blue), and
- Akanthou, Famagusta (Ceasar Breeze and Ceasar Bay).
Mr Aristides further stated that the total area of land exploited by the Afik Group in relation to the admitted charges amounts to almost 400,000 m² (394,969 m²).
The court was also told that, according to recent Land Registry valuations, the combined value of the 40 disputed plots exceeds €36 million.
Arrest at the Deryneia checkpoint
Mr Aristides said that the case took a decisive turn in June 2024, when, following a request by the Police, the District Court of Nicosia issued a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
The following day, 7 June, Simon Aykut was detected attempting to enter the government-controlled areas via the Deryneia checkpoint, whereupon, during a routine check, the arrest warrant was identified and he was apprehended on the spot by a member of the Cyprus Police.
According to Mr Aristides, the defendant has no previous convictions.
“He was not the mastermind”
In her plea in mitigation, Aykut’s defence counsel, Maria Neophytou, invoked several mitigating factors, requesting the Court’s leniency in determining the sentence.
She argued that Simon Aykut had acted under the influence of his son, in whom he had complete trust.
His involvement, she said, was limited to routine administrative duties, and he did not participate in the planning or execution of the disputed acts.
According to the defence, the company implicated in the case was effectively controlled by his son.
“A father’s love for his son cannot be equated with criminal intent. The defendant was neither the mastermind nor motivated by personal gain,”
Ms Neophytou told the Court.
Particular emphasis was placed on the age and health condition of the defendant, who is in the latter part of his life and suffers from serious health issues.
He was portrayed as a man with a clean criminal record, who had worked diligently abroad (in Israel and Africa) to provide a better life for his family.
The defence highlighted his absence from any other unlawful conduct, stressing that since 2014 Aykut had lived detached from any business activity, and since 2017 had re-registered with the Greek authorities, living a quiet and lawful life.
A heartfelt appeal was made to the Court for leniency, citing his guilty plea and sincere remorse.
It was stated that Simon Aykut does not seek acquittal, but rather a fair and humane sentencing outcome, allowing him to spend his remaining years with dignity and close to his family.
Background of the charges
It is noted that Aykut initially faced:
- 60 counts of fraudulent transactions in immovable property,
- 60 counts of unlawful possession, occupation, and use of land,
- 62 counts of money laundering, and
- 60 counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.
Sentence to be announced on 24 October
The Court reserved its decision to announce the sentence on 24 October 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Until then, it ordered that the defendant remain in custody under the same conditions.
Also read: Arrest warrants issued over land usurpation in occupied Lefkoniko
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Source: CNA
