Trial of Simon Aykut Continues: Key Witness Presents Evidence on Construction Projects in Northern Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Yesterday, the trial of Simon Mistriel Aykut, CEO of Afik Group, continued at the Greek Cypriot Supreme Criminal Court in Nicosia. Aykut was arrested in the southern part of the island on charges of illegal activity related to Greek Cypriot properties in the territory of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

According to the newspaper Haravgi, Land Registry officer Andreas Hadjirafthis testified as a witness, presenting detailed information about Afik Group’s construction projects in the areas of Iskele, Tatlisu, and Esentepe, including: “Ceasar Resort”, “Ceasar Breeze”, “Ceasar Bay”, and “Ceasar Cliff”.

Hadjirafthis explained that after 1974, the cadastral archives of the Kyrenia and Famagusta districts remained in the north, and in 1980, the Republic of Cyprus authorities called on displaced persons to submit declarations of ownership. These declarations were certified by local mukhtars and formed the basis of an archive still used to determine property rights and social benefits.

According to the witness, parcel identification was carried out using satellite imagery provided by the police and the GSI (Geographical Information System) of the Land Registry. Notably, the parcel for the “Ceasar Breeze” project could not be located in 2023 images but was identified in May 2024 thanks to updated visuals.

Defense attorney Marias Neophytou questioned the legal validity of the archival data presented, arguing that it was provisional and could not serve as formal proof of ownership. However, Hadjirafthis maintained the accuracy and legality of the procedures used.

In response to a question about the “Ceasar Cliff” project, the witness noted that no ownership had yet been registered for the parcel in question. He also clarified that a police letter from September 2023 did not directly concern construction and was therefore not included in the case file.

The court accepted the submitted photographs, maps, and documents as admissible evidence and scheduled the continuation of the hearings for September 9 and 15.