The so-called “provincial court” of Trikomou in the Turkish occupied territories of Cyprus has ordered the conditional release of two Greek Cypriots, who are a couple, of the five illegally arrested on July 19. Each was granted bail of 100,000 Turkish pounds, their travel documents were confiscated and a ban on leaving the pseudo-state was imposed until the next “trial” on September 19.

Following today’s decision, according to Turkish Cypriot media reports, all five defendants are now out of jail on bail, as the other three were released on bail earlier in the week.

The five Greek Cypriots were arrested on July 19 in the Trikomou area, near the village of Galatea, during a visit to view their homes in the occupied. They initially faced charges including “illegal entry”, “espionage” and “disturbing the peace”, and were subsequently charged with invasion of privacy, invasion of foreign property and disturbing the peace before the Trikomo civil “court”. At the same time, a separate proceeding is pending in the “military court” on the manner of their entry, which has been declared illegal.

The so-called “Supreme Court” in the occupied territories, in two separate decisions in the past few days, ruled the detention orders issued against them illegal, noting that the “judicial” measure cannot act as a punitive measure before the trial. These rulings paved the way for their release on parole.

The five arrested are Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Grigoriou and Grigoris Grigoriou.

On September 19 the next “trial date”

The case took on a European dimension, as yesterday the Plenary of the European Parliament adopted by a large majority a resolution condemning the detention of the five Greek Cypriots, calling it illegal and politically motivated, and calling for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the restrictions against them.

At the same time, US MPs had intervened calling for their release, citing among other things detainee health issues and delays in the provision of medical care.

The next “trial date” for the political proceedings in Tricombe is set for September 19, while there is also a scheduled session of the “military court” earlier in the week, according to reports.

One of the complaints was withdrawn

Meanwhile, one of the charges against the five was withdrawn, which may affect the scope of the indictment, which – as reported in the so-called “court” – is expected to be amended.

The debate on the rights of Greek Cypriot refugees to access their properties in the occupied areas has been ongoing for decades and has been a matter of concern for both the ECHR and European institutions. This case has highlighted anew the legal and political gaps created by the non-recognition of “institutions” in the occupied territories and the risk of instrumentalisation of individual cases in an already fragile context.