Turkish Cypriot lawyer released on bail pending trial

Akan Kürşat, a Turkish Cypriot lawyer extradited by Italian authorities on charges of usurping Greek Cypriot property in the occupied territories, has been released on conditions pending his case hearing on February 29 at 10:30 am.

Kürşat, who arrived in Cyprus early Friday, faced the Nicosia District Court, which ordered his release upon depositing a €10,000 cash bail and €65,000 in two bank cheques from Cypriot banks. The court mandated that he report to Ayios Dometios police station every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month between 6-9pm, starting February 19.

Accompanied by defense lawyer Rikkos Mappourides, Kürşat confirmed awareness of the 20 charges outlined in the indictment. Mappourides declared his client's intention to plead not guilty if required. Following this, Mappourides proposed that the cash bail be deposited by Kürşat's wife and the bank guarantee by two different banks in Cyprus. The court, however, accepted the arrangement of the defendant personally depositing the cash bail and providing two cheques—€50,000 from Bank of Cyprus and €15,000 from Astrobank—for the bank guarantee.

Kürşat's arrest in Rome on New Year's Eve, based on a 2007 warrant, stemmed from allegations of exploiting Greek Cypriot properties in Turkish-occupied Klepini in the Kyrenia district. The warrant also implicated British national Gary Robb, Turkish Cypriot contractor Tunzel Tahir Soykan, and Turkish Cypriot engineer Kutsal Tokatlioglu—all associated with AGA Developments, implicated in land exploitation in Klepini. Cyprus, divided since 1974, continues facing challenges, and peace talks have yet to yield a resolution, with the latest round inconclusive in July 2017.

[With information from CNA]