Filenews 19 December 2025 - by Fanis Makridis
The efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to reverse the negative data created in the case of the Iranian Behdad Jafari, wanted by the authorities for a case of large-scale usurpation of Greek Cypriot land in the occupied territories, were in full swing yesterday.
Information from "F" states that until yesterday a series of actions had been taken in order to overturn the verdict of the French Court that was called to consider his extradition to the Republic of Cyprus, but decided to release the 39-year-old.
The efforts were addressed to the French Public Prosecutor's Office to appeal the decision, which, based on the data we have before us from information sources, takes on a political dimension.
The verdict
The verdict of the Court of Provence is a cause for concern, as it did not even evaluate the positions put forward by the legal representative of Behdad Jafari. He concluded, in short, that he cannot extradite him because European law does not apply and does not apply in an area in which the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control.
Inadequacy...
This decision, according to well-informed circles in Nicosia, is attributed to the disregard of case law (Apostolides case), but also to the fact that the French prosecutor's office does not seem to have adequately promoted the request of the Republic of Cyprus for his extradition. It is therefore understood that the operation to challenge this verdict in the second instance is of political importance for the Republic.
After all, it is now doubtful whether the extradition of Behdad Jafari can be achieved. After his release, he returned to the occupied territories and it is doubtful whether he will go back to European soil.
The positions recorded
Well-informed sources report that the competent Court that was called upon to decide on the request of the Republic, which was forwarded by the French prosecutor's office, did not proceed with the evaluation of Jafari's positions. Of course, these are recorded in the verdict.
Among other things, Jafari's defense attorney put forward the following positions/allegations:
>> The Republic of Cyprus is attempting to criminalise events of a civil nature.
>> The actions in the occupied territories were based on legislation in force there.
>>There is a political motive with the sole purpose of preventing residential development in the occupied territories.
>> The mechanism for issuing a European arrest warrant has been misused.
As we noted, these "positions" were not evaluated by the Court, but are recorded in the decision. It is judged that, based on the verdict, the jurisdiction of the Republic to prosecute criminal persons for offenses committed in the occupied territories is questioned. Something that is in complete contradiction with the case of Aykut.
Seven projects
It should be noted that the 39-year-old was born in Tehran in 1986, as indicated by his age, while he lived permanently in Nice, France. Data available to the Authorities of the Republic indicate that the interest company of ISATIS Construction Group erected six (6) tourist complexes and an apartment building in Famagusta. All developments are on land owned by Greek Cypriots.
Jafari Statements
Since yesterday, the news of Behdad Jafari's return to the occupied territories through Istanbul has been widely promoted on the websites of the pseudo-state. These media, citing claims by Jafari that he put forward on social media, note that the Appeals Department of the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence reportedly rejected the execution of the European arrest warrant on December 10.
Besides, according to the Cyprus News Agency, the newspaper "Kipris" reports that Giafari made public a written statement after arriving in the occupied territories. "The European arrest warrant against him," it says, "was based on allegations about his construction activities in 'northern Cyprus' – as referred to in the occupied territories – and that some projects were carried out illegally on properties belonging to Greek Cypriots."
He goes on to say that the French judicial authorities "examined my case thoroughly, independently and with complete impartiality. This clearly demonstrates the power of the rule of law in France. Court decisions are based on legal principles and evidence, not on political motives."
