The case against Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat has been suspended due to the death of a witness

On Thursday, the Attorney General ordered the suspension of the trial against Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat. The case has been put on hold because a key witness in the case has passed away.

During the trial of the Turkish Cypriot lawyer, who was arrested for selling the property of Greek Cypriots in the north, it was revealed that the main witness, a British national, had died.

According to case materials, the legal department learned about the witness's death on February 19. The court ruled that due to the witness's death, there is no evidence against Akan Kursat.

Recall that the lawyer was arrested in Italy in January 2024. Since 2007, a warrant for his arrest has been issued. The authorities of the Greek Cypriot administration accuse the lawyer of "usurping Greek property in the TRNC" - selling the property of Greek Cypriots in the north.

According to Greek media reports, he was charged with the following offenses: "conspiracy to commit a serious crime," "illegal possession and use of land registered to another person," "providing security for goods by false pretenses," and "money laundering from illegal activities."

After his arrest, the lawyer objected to Cyprus' extradition request, claiming he feared for his life in the country's prisons, as a Turkish Cypriot prisoner was killed there in 2022.

According to Turkish media reports, on February 2, the lawyer changed his position and announced through his lawyers that he agreed to be extradited to South Cyprus. After appearing in court on February 9, he was released pending trial on February 29.

Representing him in court was Rikkos Mappourides, who stated that his client denied all 20 charges against him.

During the hearings at the Nicosia District Court, he was ordered to provide €10,000 in cash as bail and €65,000 in the form of two bank checks from local banks. He was also required to report to the Ayios Dometios Police Station on the first and third Monday of each month. He was also allowed to travel between the northern and southern parts of the island.

This is the first case where a Turkish Cypriot with Cypriot citizenship will stand trial for the exploitation of Cypriot-Greek property in the north of the country.