Newsroom
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Cyprus violated the property rights of ten individuals in a case concerning land expropriated in Limassol in 1976.
The case, Nikolaou and Others v. Cyprus, focuses on a 7,024 square meter plot in the Agios Athanasios area. The land was taken by the state for the planned development of an industrial zone. Part of it was later used for road construction, but 3,974 square meters remained unused despite multiple discussions over possible development projects that were never completed.
The applicants, or their predecessors, originally owned the land. In 2008, they sought its return, arguing that national law allows former owners to reclaim property if it is not used for its intended purpose. Their request was rejected. Authorities stated that the land would remain designated as open space, while also indicating that industrial development plans had not been formally cancelled.
The applicants turned to the Court, relying on Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to property. They argued that after 32 years without proper use of the land, the state was required to return it.
The Court found in their favour on the issue of property rights. It has not yet ruled on compensation for financial loss and will address that question at a later stage. Cyprus was ordered to pay a total of 12,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage and 5,000 euros for legal costs.
