The Greek Cypriot Council of Ministers has approved the return of property to a Turkish Cypriot plaintiff and authorized compensation totaling 2,123,950 euros. This decision concludes a legal battle regarding properties in Dizdarköy and Pera Chorio, ongoing since 2019 at the South Nicosia District Court.

Case Overview

Lawyer Murat Metin Hakkı, representing the plaintiff, explained that the case involved 18 properties owned by the plaintiff’s family. The plaintiff, who emigrated from Cyprus before 1960, inherited these properties in 2014 after a lengthy estate process. Several of these properties had been repurposed by the Greek Cypriot authorities, including for immigrant housing, roads, and school courtyards.

Despite multiple appeals to the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Interior since 2014, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit in 2019 to claim compensation and the return of property due to a lack of response.

Settlement and Compensation

Following thorough investigations, the authorities confirmed that the plaintiff did not benefit from former Greek-owned properties in the North post-1974. This verification expedited reconciliation talks, culminating in an agreement approved last week by the Greek Cypriot Council of Ministers.

Under the agreement:

• 7 properties currently used for public purposes will be compensated with a cash payment of 2,123,950 euros.
• Remaining properties, totaling 91,292 square meters, will be returned to the plaintiff, free of guardianship restrictions.

Broader Context

Hakkı highlighted that Turkish Cypriots who emigrated before 1974 and did not benefit from Greek properties in the North often succeeded in securing compensation or property returns through legal channels. However, cases involving individuals who moved to the North after 1974 or had property seized post-1974 are more complex.

He noted that these complexities are central to three upcoming cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), including disputes involving the Barutçuzade Ahmet Vasıf Efendi Foundation, which Hakkı also represents.

This case marks a significant step in resolving property disputes between Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriot Administration, though broader challenges persist for others affected by similar issues.