The trial of Israeli property developer Simon Mistriel Aykut, who is accused of having developed and sold €43 million worth of property on Greek Cypriot land in the north, was adjourned until October 18 on Friday.
Aykut appeared in front of the Nicosia criminal court on Friday, where he faces a total of 124 charges. He is being represented by two Greek Cypriot lawyers and one Turkish Cypriot lawyer, while an Israeli lawyer is also observing the proceedings.
However, it was decided to adjourn the case so as to allow both sides the requisite time to agree on the objections in Aykut’s defence.
Aykut will remain in custody until October 18 at least, with the court having decided at a previous hearing in June that Aykut’s ties to the Republic of Cyprus are “non-existent” and argued that there was a “visible risk of him fleeing”.
His lawyers had argued that the chances of him fleeing were remote and made reference to “health problems” suffered by their client, while also suggesting his safety may be put at risk in custody due to his nationality.
Aykut was arrested in June while attempting to cross from the north to the Republic.
He is the founder of the Afik Group, which has carried out various construction projects in Trikomo, many of which are believed to be on Greek Cypriot land.
The Afik Group made headlines a year ago when newspaper Politis reported that a law firm co-founded by then Cyprus Bar Association chairman Christos Clerides was representing Afik Group chief executive officer Afik Yaacov.
The government source told the Cyprus Mail at the time that they were “carefully following” the case.
Yaacov had reportedly registered a company named Danilen Ltd in Nicosia at the same address as Clerides’ law firm, with Politis saying the alleged link between the law firm and Yaacov emerged as part of the bar association’s obligation to oversee all lawyers and their compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
The law firm said at the time that reports of assisting people and facilitating where it comes to matters related to the north, or any connection of the firm with illegal activities “are false and a result of sinister and ulterior motives”.
