The Nicosia criminal court decided on Thursday that Israeli land developer Simon Aykut, charged with the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the north, will remain in custody until March 26, when his hearing begins.
Aykut was arrested in early June and is accused of having developed and sold €43 million worth of property on Greek Cypriot land in the north.
On February 6 he pleaded not guilty to all 242 charges read against him in court.
Judge Christiana Parpotta, having examined the defence objection to Aykut’s incarceration at the central prison until the hearing begins, decided it was justified that he remain in custody.
The criminal court heard both sides of the argument on Tuesday, regarding medical examinations, the defence said Aykut had prostate cancer and should be released for proper treatment, while the prosecution said he was receiving all the care he needed in prison.
The court ruled that the defence had not proved its client’s rights had been violated and thus his release was not justified.
The court said any delay in starting the trial was due to interim proceedings, however the total time of his incarceration was not disproportionate to the purpose of him being held.
The initial decision for his incarceration until the trial was taken on September 11, 2024, based on the risk of Aykut absconding.
Thursday’s decision was read out by judge Christos Raspopoulos.
The criminal court said the authorities were not found to have treated Aykut in an inhumane or humiliating manner.
It added that if the medical tests provided an early diagnosis of cancer, then the suspect could choose any treatment he wished, either visiting doctors of his choice or having state doctors visit him in jail.
Aykut is set to have an MRI in the coming days and possibly a biopsy, after which the urologist at Nicosia general hospital will be issuing his final opinion.
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