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Businessman Simon Aykut, accused of unlawfully selling Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied north, defended the legality of his company’s real estate dealings in a televised interview presented Monday as evidence in a Nicosia courtroom.
The video, aired on Turkey’s NTV in December 2023, shows Aykut, Chairman of a major real estate firm in the defacto state in northern Cyprus, describing the sale of 3,500 homes, mostly in the Trikomo area. Of those, 105 properties were reportedly sold to Israeli nationals. Aykut dismissed allegations of widespread Jewish purchases as defamatory and legally unfounded.
The Prosecution submitted the video as part of the ongoing criminal case. Leon Aratzian, who translated the interview for police, testified in court. Aratzian, a dentist by profession, said Turkish is his second native language and confirmed frequent translation work with authorities.
Two police officers also took the stand. Former CID officer Nikos Pittas testified about compiling the original evidence report, which included a note from the Deputy Attorney General calling for renewed investigation after new findings in 2020–2021. Digital forensics officer Sotiris Fokas detailed his analysis of Aykut’s confiscated devices. He said access to a locked mobile phone and tablet was unsuccessful, but three SIM cards, two Turkish and one Israeli, were recovered.
Aykut stated in the interview that while he is a dual citizen of Turkey and the breakaway state in the occupied north, he holds no business interests in Israel and operates solely in northern Cyprus.
Court proceedings are set to continue Tuesday, with further sessions scheduled for June 2 and June 6.
