Two of the five Greek Cypriots who were arrested in the north on July 19 have been released on bail until the next court hearing. Among other conditions, they were prohibited from leaving the north.
According to reports from the Turkish Cypriot press, the Famagusta 'District Court' in Trikomo decided to release the two Greek Cypriots—who are a couple—under specific conditions. A bail of 100,000 Turkish Lira was set for each, while their travel documents were confiscated and a travel ban was imposed, preventing them from leaving the north.
The next 'court' hearing is scheduled for September 19. The 'prosecutor' handling the case said that "the charges will be amended."
One complainant withdraws her statement
In a new development in the case concerning the five Greek Cypriots, one of the complainants has withdrawn her statement.
According to reports from the north, lawyer Aslı Murat issued a written statement on behalf of her client, Aslı Ercikan, who is referred to as a “complainant” in the ongoing case.
“As of today, she has no complaints against anyone,” the lawyer stated, adding that a resident of the complex had informed Ms. Ercikan that some individuals were seen wandering in the area on the day in question. Shortly afterward, the 'police' arrived at Ercikan’s residence and took a statement from her.
“My client was concerned about unauthorised access by non-residents to the complex for security reasons,” said Murat, noting that the concern stemmed from a history of thefts in the area.
“In this context, without directly targeting any individual, she merely expressed a general concern for safety due to the rising crime rates,” she added. “My client did not act with the intention of filing a complaint against people who visited the area to see their ancestral property. On the contrary, in the past, she has hosted individuals who visited for similar reasons and respected such visits. For my client, a person’s ethnic origin or nationality holds no relevance.”
The lawyer also stated that her client publicly declares she has no connection whatsoever to any construction company or contracting activity and that she inherited the house on the property in question.
Murat confirmed that her client, Aslı Ercikan, personally appeared today before the 'court' in Trikomo and submitted a formal statement withdrawing her previous complaint.
Furthermore, the lawyer emphasised that intercommunal tensions are contrary to her client’s values and principles.
“My client acknowledges that such issues negatively affect both communities. Therefore, she sincerely hopes that these matters will be resolved as soon as possible and without causing further harm,” the lawyer concluded.
