Eight new cases filed against Turkey at European Court of Human Rights

EIGHT new appeals have been filed against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) demanding compensation for property seized after Turkey invaded in 1974.

The appeals have been filed on behalf of people owning property in Morphou, Ayios Epiktitos, Kyrenia, Panagra, Kefalovrysos and other areas of the Kyrenia district.

Among the property is an estate in Ayios Epiktitos used by the Turkish army as an air force base.

Before the invasion, the estate had been used by the agriculture ministry for small crop-dusting planes.

The appeal is based on a previous decision by the ECHR, which in 1998 ordered Turkey to pay £330,000 in compensation to Titina Loizidou for property seized during the invasion.

Turkey has refused to pay, arguing it has no jurisdiction over the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, which only it recognises. The Council of Europe rejected the argument and issued a stern warning to Turkey to comply without further delay, but to no avail.

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