Simon Mistriel Aykut, who is accused of large-scale usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the north had his trial postponed after his lawyer revealed new health concerns, despite previous medical reports declaring him “exceptionally healthy” for his age.
Simon Mistriel Aykut’s defence lawyer Maria Neophytou told the criminal court on Wednesday that a British doctor who examined the 74-year-old in prison had discovered a serious illness, contrasting sharply with a December assessment by the prison doctor that found him in perfect health.
The court granted a one-week adjournment until February 6 to allow time for medical certificates to be submitted, with no objection from prosecutor Andreas Aristides.
The hearing had been scheduled for Aykut to enter his plea to 242 charges.
Prison doctor Elena Antoniou had reported in December that Aykut’s test results were “so good that no one could believe a 74-year-old could be so healthy”.
She had also questioned an earlier remote diagnosis by an Israeli doctor who suggested further tests were needed.
The criminal court had previously rejected Aykut’s bail application based on Dr Antoniou’s assessment, ruling there were no new circumstances to justify his release under strict conditions.
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