Cypriot authorities arrested a 49-year-old German woman on Sunday at Larnaca Airport for allegedly participating in the illegal sale of Greek Cypriot property in the Turkish-occupied north.
The suspect, identified as a real estate agent, unwittingly revealed her activities during a conversation with a fellow passenger on a flight from Frankfurt on June 27.
The passenger, a Cypriot citizen, became concerned about the legality of the transactions described and reported the conversation to a police officer who was on the plane.
Following the tip, police launched an investigation that culminated in an arrest warrant. The woman was arrested at Larnaca Airport as she prepared to depart for Germany.
She faces a series of serious charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, fraud related to real estate, and money laundering.
The suspect’s lawyer maintains her innocence and expressed confidence that the investigation will clear her name. Police, however, have indicated their intention to gather further statements and pursue the case.
Separate case involves businessman and sons
In a separate but related development, 73-year-old Israeli-Cypriot businessman Simon Mistriel Aykut is appealing his detention order after being charged with the misappropriation of Greek Cypriot land in the north. Aykut faces a total of 124 charges, including fraudulent transactions, illegal land use, and money laundering allegedly linked to these activities. He remains in custody pending the outcome of his appeal.
Authorities are also seeking Aykut’s two sons, Afik Yaakov (51) and Michael Mistriel Aykut (49), who are believed to be directors of a construction group allegedly involved in the land deals.
Both sons hold Israeli and Portuguese passports, making location efforts more challenging. Cypriot police are collaborating with international authorities to locate them.
Aykut’s company, identified as the AFIK GROUP, reportedly implemented a development project named the “Caesar Project” on land parcels in the north. The project encompassed several sub-developments with names like “Caesar Blue” and “Caesar Beach.”
These developments allegedly involved the unauthorised sale of thousands of tourist units.
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