Mehmet Ali Talat Warns: Arrests of Greek Cypriots Could Turn into a "Legal War"

Former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, warned that the recent arrests of Greek Cypriots in the occupied territories over property issues could escalate into a "legal war."

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Talat linked the arrests to the unresolved Cyprus issue, stressing that resolving the property issue is inextricably linked to the overall resolution of the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that the prison sentences imposed on the arrested Greek Cypriots are "unbalanced," mentioning that lesser sentences have been imposed for more serious crimes.

Talat warned that the Greek Cypriot side could respond with legal actions against businessmen in the occupied territories who are active on Greek Cypriot properties. He stressed the need to abandon this practice to avoid serious tensions.

Mehmet Hasoğluları, an independent candidate for the "presidential elections," stated that the arrests undermine confidence in the occupying regime and deepen the lack of trust between the two communities.

Furthermore, the "press ethics board" warned media outlets against using the term "espionage" in covering the case of the five Greek Cypriots, noting that there is no such charge in the judicial process and that the use of this term incites hate speech.