in-cyprus 7 September - by Costas Venizelos
The occupation regime is planning to proceed with more arrests of Greek Cypriots, following the abduction of five people who have been illegally detained in the occupation prisons since July 19.
According to reliable sources, the occupation regime is gathering evidence on Greek Cypriots who are working to secure documents with the ultimate goal of submitting them to the so-called “Immovable Property Commission.” Specifically, according to the same sources, the occupation side is identifying Greek Cypriots who are buying services to secure documents, such as “ownership certificates,” for their own properties that have been usurped by third parties, as well as other documents that would aid their appeal. Based on the data it is collecting on those seeking “documents” in the occupied territories, the occupation regime appears to have compiled a list of Greek Cypriots it is targeting. At the same time, it seems that a second list concerns Turkish Cypriots who are believed to be helping (or selling services to) Greek Cypriots.
The arrest of the lawyer for the five abducted Greek Cypriots, Murat Metin Hakkı, is indicative of the occupation side’s intentions regarding its plans. The Turkish Cypriot lawyer was presented by the occupation regime as being connected to the five abducted individuals, while the baseless claim is made that he is allegedly connected to cases of usurpers in the free areas. That is, that he cooperates with Greek Cypriot lawyers who have taken on cases of usurping Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories, and the cases of the usurpers are being heard or are in the process of being heard before Cypriot courts. Furthermore, various other claims are being made based on what was allegedly found in his office and on his computers. It is noted that the search and seizure of his computer caused reactions in the occupied territories, mainly from his fellow lawyers. At the same time, it is interesting that even the occupation leader, Ersin Tatar, distanced himself from the fact that the lawyer was taken to “court” in handcuffs. He expressed his disagreement.
A ‘witch hunt’
It is clear that such actions of monitoring individuals with the ultimate goal of arrest are reminiscent of a “witch hunt.” The illegal regime, which supposedly encourages the use of the so-called Immovable Property Commission as a proper “legal remedy,” is largely undermining its own policy. It is undermining the so-called commission. How can it be considered a suitable legal remedy when they are proceeding with the arrests of those who intend to appeal to this body, which, by the way, has been recognized by the ECHR as an effective “legal avenue”?
It is obvious that the occupation regime is creating a climate of terrorism and blackmail. The illegal entity is trying to prevent appeals and, at the same time, to stop Greek Cypriots from gathering evidence for their properties. And the charges they are bringing, as seen in the case of the five, are ridiculous and unsubstantiated. How can someone be accused of “illegal entry” into their own property? Or be accused of violating personal data? So, any Greek Cypriots who request search reports and copies of “title deeds” or anything else related seem to be put on the “blacklist.” For the occupation regime, all this constitutes a “criminal offense.”
The five abductees
The five abducted Greek Cypriots are suffering greatly and are being held illegally without any charge. This is a retaliatory action that is also connected to the arrests of usurpers of Greek Cypriot properties. It is an action that amounts to retaliation, and at the same time, by maintaining the issue and prolonging the illegal detention, they will eventually present a scenario that has been circulating for some time. That is, the exchange with the Turkish-Jewish usurper, Simon Aykut. This is a possibility that is being discussed in the occupied territories.
Individual appeal to the ECHR
Regarding the management of the five abductees by the Republic of Cyprus, it is clear that the entire effort is to use interventions to persuade and convince occupied Turkey to release them. The Government, which is in contact with the families of the abductees, is taking a series of actions at a political and diplomatic level while also considering other actions. In addition to the government’s actions, information indicates that based on the latest events regarding the conditions of detention and medical care, the families of the abductees are considering an individual appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. This appeal will be directed against the “authorities” of the occupation regime but also against Turkey, which is the occupying power. It should be recalled that in order for one of the abductees to receive medical care, there was a suggestion from the “judge” a few days ago when they appeared in a pseudo-court. This happened for the second time. The first time the judge’s appeal was not heard. The second time, however, they transferred the Greek Cypriot to a hospital for examinations.
Scenarios of fait accompli, spasmodic actions, and equalization
The Turkish plans regarding the abduction of the five Greek Cypriots are part of a series of various moves that reinforce their narrative that the faits accomplis of the occupation, which have been imposed on the ground, have neutralized any discussions on property and territory. According to the Turks, the faits accomplis do not leave room for a settlement, as other problems will be created. They believe it will cause a chain of problems that will lead the discussions to a final dead end! These are theories without substance, fabricated to support their expansionist policies.
It is clear that by usurping Greek Cypriot properties, which also has an economic dimension, with the “development” that is taking place, the Turks are trying to create a situation that will make it difficult to resolve the property issue. In view of the prosecutions that have begun in the Republic of Cyprus against usurpers of Greek Cypriot properties, the occupation side is trying to find ways out. This is because the prosecutions have caused a shock and a tendency for “investors” to flee the occupied territories. They have hit the construction sector and therefore this also causes an economic cost. In view of all this, it is obvious that the occupation regime is taking retaliatory and also spasmodic actions in an attempt to deal with this situation.
At the same time, the occupation side wants to use the arrests of Greek Cypriots to promote the pseudo-state. To show that there is a “constitution” that is being applied and that stipulates that properties in the occupied territories do not belong to Greek Cypriots but to the illegal regime, which, for its part, has… granted them to “citizens” and third parties. It is noted that, not by chance, throughout all these years, the occupation regime, primarily Turkey, has involved foreign nationals in this issue. In this way, it believed it would complicate any discussions on the property issue even more. However, as it appeared from ECHR decisions, this is not the case.
The occupation side also wants to create an image of equalization. The Greek Cypriots are prosecuting usurpers, and they are also prosecuting those who violate the “laws” of the illegal occupation entity. Of course, there is no equivalence, as legality cannot be equated with occupation illegality. However, perhaps to some third parties who view the whole issue superficially, this equalization may sound… logical!
