In 1974 the Island of Cyprus which is tucked away at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, was invaded by Turkey. The invasion was the Turkish Military reaction to the coup staged by the Cypriot National Guard against President Makarios 111. Whatever the original intention, Turkey ended up occupying much of Northern Cyprus and establishing a government that is only recognised by Turkey.
More than 170,000 Cypriots were forced to leave their homes and seek safety in the south of the island. Melitis Apostolides was one of those who was displaced 35 years ago.
Northern Cyprus is not part of the European Community but Melitis Apostolides approached the European Court of Justice to get backing for his claim to his family home in the north. He has the deeds to the property which confirm his ownership and his case had already been verified in a Nicosia court, but he cannot take possession of his property, although he has viewed it via Google Earth and can see that it is still there.
In 2002 a British couple named Linda and David Oram bought a property in Northern Cyprus and built a new house on the land. As fas as they were concerned it was a legal purchased arranged via an agent in UK.
The Orams had bought Melitus Apostolides’ house in Northern Cyprus without his permission. The government there considered that the house had been abandoned but the truth of the matter was that the owners had no choice but to leave for their own safety.
In 2003 Mr Apostolides visited his former property and saw Mrs Oram in the garden, watering plants. He asked who she was and was informed that she was the owner of the villa. Mr Apostolides pointed out that he was the owner and the lady merely said, ‘Well, that was a long time ago.’
Cherie Booth Blair QC who was the legal representative for the Orams argued that this was a serious case because it could have far reaching repercussions for other Britons now living in Northern Cyprus. The verdict was that a judgement made in a British court was not enforceable against British people living in Northern Cyprus.
The original decision made by a UK court was that that the ruling made in Nicosia should stand and that the property should be returned to Mr Apostilades and the villa demolished, but this decision could not be enforced.
However, Mr Apostolides was given permission to appeal against the ruling and he was ordered to pay 75% of the Oram’s £863,000 costs within 28 days. This left him with the task of finding £75,000 immediately.
So, what should have taken a few day drags on. Mr Apostolides has spent a lot of money trying to get his home back and seems to be no further forward and the war that divided an Island and its families is still claiming casualties.
Posts
Sadly I hear about stories like this daily. It is a wise thing not to touch the land in the North. In southern Cyprus the Turkish land is being protected or left abandoned, the land sales are a little different here.
ReplyDelete