Authorities are linking a 40 year old Ukrainian man arrested this week as a land usurper of Greek-Cypriot property to a well-known large-scale case of a massive ring illegally selling land with a total turnover of hundreds of millions of euros.
According to evidence submitted by the Nicosia CID investigation during a hearing at the capital’s District Court, the suspect, Denis Rohodin, allegedly advertised the sale of properties owned by Greek Cypriot refugees in the Turkish-occupied territories.
Furthermore, Rohodin is connected by police investigators to 73-year-old Simon Mistriel Aykout, who is alleged to be the ‘big boss’ (as stated in testimonies obtained and presented in court) of the Afik Group.
Specifically and based on the CID remand request, there is evidence that Rohodin had been advertising properties in the occupied territories, including residential units located in projects of the Afik Group.
Moreover, according to the ongoing investigation, testimonies indicate that he advertised a specific development of the said Group through a website.
This refers to the largest ‘project’ of the Afik Group in Trikomo, the CAESAR RESORT. The Afik Group is alleged to have usurped Greek Cypriot land and proceeded with the construction of 5,700 units, of which they have already sold over 5,000.
Additionally, according to testimony currently being evaluated, the 40-year-old also advertised other residential units from projects in the occupied territories (Bahamas Homes, Hawaii Homes, and Moonlight Villas).
GP Real Estate
The 40-year-old suspect allegedly advertised numerous other residential units through his website and social media accounts he manages. The website is named ‘GP Real Estate’ and is accompanied by the advertising slogan ‘Property in Northern Cyprus.’
As we have ascertained, the website is not publicly accessible, as the relevant link leads to a field requiring a password.
However, a company under the suspect’s name is registered with the Registrar of Companies. This is VH & DP GP REAL ESTATE LTD. According to the registry, Denis Pohodin is listed as the director and secretary of the company. Furthermore, the company has a registered address in Limassol.
Fictitious Information
As heard in court, the website used a fake Cypriot phone number that redirected to the WhatsApp communication platform. Authorities believe that the company’s offices are located in Kyrenia.
The case may escalate, as the CID believes that the 40 year old may have other associates, with relevant information under evaluation.
The suspect first arrived in Cyprus in June 2024 and the following month, he obtained a temporary residence permit for employment in the Republic.
Initially, he appeared to be working for a specific company, while later he stated that he was employed by another business entity.
Following consideration of a CID request, the Nicosia District Court issued a remand order against the 40-year-old suspect for a period of seven days, to facilitate the on-going investigation.
The 40-year-old suspect was arrested at Larnaca Airport minutes before taking off for another European country.
He is being investigated for conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to defraud, and fraudulent transactions in real estate belonging to another.
Afik Group’s Turnover
The Afik Group’s developments in the occupied territories had a total turnover of hundreds of millions of euros, with the group’s CEO Simon Mistriel Aykout facing a total of 242 charges, which relate to the usurpation of 60 plots of land owned by Greek Cypriots.
The AFIK GROUP, under which the Aykut-linked company Duminka operates, began implementing the ‘Caesar Project. over the past two years.
This included the developments ‘Caesar Blue,’ ‘Caesar Beach,’ ‘Caesar Breeze,’ ‘Caesar Bay,’ ‘Caesar Cliff,’ and ‘Caesar Resort.’, in occupied Gastria, Akanthou, Agios Amvrosios and Trikomo.
The largest ‘project’ is Caesar Resort and Spa in Trikomo. The other project, Caesar Beach in Bogazi, Famagusta, which was also implemented, included 220 tourist units. All were sold.
CID investigators also have evidence that a house in Bogazi, Famagusta, was sold for 200,000 British pounds, approximately 238,000 euros.
According to the company’s own website, its projects are as follows:
- Caesar Resort & Spa (Trikomo) – Total of 5,700 units with over 5,000 sold
- Caesar Blue (Karpasia) – 1,600 units and 72 villas
- Caesar Palm Jumeirah (Karpasia) – 516 units
- Blue Line Villas (Karpasia) – 92 units
- Caesar Cliff (Agios Amvrosios, Kyrenia) – Planned construction of 280 units
- Caesar Breeze (Karpasia) – Planned construction of 200 units
- Caesar Beach (Bogazi, Famagusta) – 220 units – All sold
- Caesar Bay (Akanthou) – 50 units”
