Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat set for extradition to Cyprus

In a recent development, Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat, held in Rome since New Year's Eve for the alleged exploitation and sale of Greek Cypriot land in occupied Klepini, is anticipated to be transferred to Cyprus within the current week.

According to Police spokesman Christos Andreou, Europol notified Cypriot authorities on February 2 that Kioursiat had agreed to be extradited to the Republic of Cyprus. Andreou stated that the transfer must occur within 10 days, and they are currently coordinating with Italian authorities to determine a date for Cypriot investigators to apprehend the lawyer in Rome and bring him back to Cyprus.

When questioned about the scheduled court proceedings in Rome, Andreou clarified that, following Kursat's acceptance of extradition, the proceedings scheduled for tomorrow will not take place. Upon his return to Cyprus, Kursat will be subject to arrest based on a national warrant, placed in custody, and subsequently detained and questioned regarding charges related to a case in which British citizen Gary Robb has already been convicted.

Andreou further explained that the police will review the evidence in the case file to validate its authenticity. It is noteworthy that a total of four individuals, including Kursat, were sought under a 2007 arrest warrant. The others include British citizen Gary Robb, Turkish Cypriot contractor Tunzel Tahir Soykan, and Turkish Cypriot engineer Kuchal Tokatlioglou, all linked to AGA Developments, a company involved in the exploitation of Greek Cypriot land in Klepini, intended for villa construction and sale to British buyers.

[Information sourced from CNA]