Letter from AKEL MEP G. Georgiou to the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola calling for the immediate release of five Greek Cypriots arrested and detained in the occupied areas
28 August 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, regarding the illegal and arbitrary arrest of five Greek Cypriots last July in Trikomo and their continued detention.
The letter is reproduced below in its entirety:
“Dear Madam President,
I am writing to express my concern about the lack of response from the European Parliament and EU institutions as a whole to my previous correspondence of 3 August regarding the urgent issue of human rights violations that are taking place in the occupied part of northern Cyprus. More specifically, these violations concern the illegal and arbitrary arrest of five Greek Cypriots last July in Trikomo and their continued detention.
As noted in my last letter, the arrest and continued detention of the five Greek Cypriots as suspects of trespassing and espionage is a retaliatory measure by the so-called authorities in the occupied territory of Cyprus in response to the arrests of individuals accused of selling Greek Cypriot land in the north, which were carried out by the Republic of Cyprus. It is also an attempt by Turkey to instil fear in Greek Cypriot displaced persons who attempt to visit their own properties, emphasizing the potential danger and harm that will befall them.
Despite my previous appeals for your attention and intervention, it appears that the situation remains unresolved and the illegal detention and ill-treatment of the five Greek Cypriots continues unabated. This ongoing violation of fundamental human rights not only affects the victims and their families, but also undermines the broader principles of justice and peace in the region. It also undermines the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Cyprus problem.
With respect, I urge your esteemed Office not to underestimate this serious development and to take immediate and decisive measures to exert the strongest possible pressure on Turkey and the so-called authorities in the occupied part of Cyprus for the immediate release of the five Greek Cypriots and to refrain from such illegal and arbitrary actions in the future. The defence of human rights and the rule of law must remain a priority in the efforts to promote reconciliation and a lasting peace in Cyprus.
Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your prompt response and to seeing substantive progress on this critical issue”.
28.08.2025
