Two companies owned by Greek Cypriot businesspeople have filed a lawsuit at Nicosia District Court seeking more than €140 million in damages from 12 individuals and companies, including the US multinational PepsiCo. The plaintiffs allege that their factory and field in Famagusta district, in the north, have been used without their consent for more than four decades to produce soft drinks under PepsiCo brands.
The plaintiffs and the property
The claim was filed recently by the law firm G. Georgiades & Associates LLC on behalf of Cyprofruta Limited, based in Strovolos, and Cyprus Farming Company Limited, based in Latsia.
According to the claim, the Greek Cypriot businesspeople behind the two companies are the lawful owners of a factory and a field in the Trachonas Limniou area of Kouklia, in Famagusta district. Before the 1974 Turkish invasion, the plaintiffs ran a profitable commercial business with a large turnover at the property.
Alleged use of the property since 1981
The plaintiffs allege that since 1981 the property has been exploited unlawfully by EKTAM Kibris Ltd. According to the claim, EKTAM Kibris Ltd produces drinks under the Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7Up and Mirinda trademarks, as well as other products and brands belonging to the PepsiCo group. Companies linked to EKTAM and their owners are also named in the lawsuit.
The defendants named in the claim
According to the statement of claim, the lawsuit is brought against the following individuals and companies:
- Mehmet Melih Sipahioglu, Constantinople, Turkey
- PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, New York, United States
- Infima Holding (formerly Tamek Holding A.S.), Constantinople, Turkey
- Pepsi-Cola Servis ve Dagitim Ltd, Constantinople, Turkey
- Fruko Mesrubat San Ltd, Constantinople, Turkey
- Tamek Sagra Grup Gida Uretim A.S., Constantinople, Turkey
- Ordu Yardimlasma Kurumu (OYAK, Armed Forces Pension Fund), Ankara, Turkey
- Pergama Icecek A.S., Constantinople, Turkey
- Gungor Sipahioglu, Constantinople, Turkey
- Dr Semsi Kazim Erkman, H. Sibel Erkman and Eda Erkman, listed at an address in the northern part of Nicosia and linked to EKTAM Kibris Ltd
Pre-action notice sent in February
On 10 February 2026, well before the lawsuit was filed, the plaintiffs sent a written pre-action notice to all 12 defendants through their lawyers. The notice demanded that the defendants stop using the property, vacate it immediately and hand it over to its lawful owners. It also sought compensation dating back to 1981 for the activity carried out on the property.
