Newsroom
The Aykut family has taken their fight with the Cypriot government to the streets, literally. Giant billboards with bold accusations against Cyprus and President Nikos Christodoulides have appeared in Hebrew in various locations, painting the island as unsafe for Israelis and demanding justice for 75-year-old Simon Aykut, who has been jailed in Cyprus for nearly a year.
One billboard features a photo of President Christodoulides with the stark message: “Cyprus is dangerous for Israelis.” Next to it, another sign shows an image of Simon Aykut and reads, “Simon has been imprisoned for ten months without a sentence.”
Simon Aykut is currently held by Cypriot authorities on serious charges involving the illegal seizure of Greek Cypriot properties in the northern part of the island, which remains under Turkish occupation. His family insists his detention is unfair and politically motivated.
His son, Jack Afik Aykut, also involved in real estate, has publicly rallied against the Cypriot government. During President Christodoulides’ recent visit to the U.S., Jack called on American Jews to boycott the Cypriot leader, accusing him of targeting Israelis unfairly.
The family’s billboard campaign is just one part of their broader strategy, which also includes a multimillion-euro lawsuit against the Republic of Cyprus. Their message is clear, they want international attention on what they see as an unjust legal battle and are determined to pressure Cyprus by taking their story global.
Cypriot authorities, however, maintain that the charges are based on solid legal grounds related to long-standing property disputes and are not politically motivated. As tensions grow, the case is drawing increasing attention both in Cyprus and abroad.
