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Cyprus and European lawmakers are pressing for the release of five Greek Cypriots detained since July in the Turkish-occupied north of the island, condemning the arrests as illegal and politically motivated.
According to Kathimerini's Pavlos Xanthoulis, the European Parliament is expected to debate the case Wednesday night, with a joint resolution scheduled for Thursday. The draft calls for the men’s immediate release and urges the European Commission and EU foreign service to consider “all necessary measures,” including potential punitive steps, if Turkey does not comply.
The resolution highlights a pattern of intimidation by the Turkish military occupation regime, targeting Greek Cypriots visiting ancestral properties or appealing to the north’s “Immovable Property Commission.” It also calls on Turkey to respect international law and ensure the detainees have access to medical care.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kompos have separately urged EU leaders to act. Christodoulides warned that Turkey’s actions undermine its stated goal of closer ties with the EU, while Kompos noted Ankara’s repeated violations of human rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Political groups across the European Parliament have voiced support for the resolution. The center-right EPP emphasized EU intervention and potential legal action; the European Left called the detentions propaganda-driven; the Conservatives and ELAM stressed the broader issue of occupation; and Socialists, Liberals, and Patriots condemned the arrests and reinforced the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereignty.
The case underscores the ongoing tension in northern Cyprus, now under Turkish control for more than 50 years, and represents a test for both EU-Turkey relations and Europe’s willingness to defend the rights of its citizens on the island.
