Jerusalem, 17 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Following a decision by Cyprus Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, Israeli businessman Simon Mistriel Aykut was transferred to Israel on Friday to serve the remainder of his prison sentence there. The transfer was carried out at Israel’s request under the framework governing the transfer of sentenced persons between the two countries.
Aykut, 75, had been sentenced to five years in prison after admitting 40 charges under Article 303A of the Cypriot Criminal Code involving fraudulent transactions in immovable property belonging to another. The case concerned the development, marketing, and sale of Greek Cypriot-owned land in the occupied north of the island without the lawful owners’ consent.
Cypriot prosecutors had said Aykut was linked to the development and sale of about €43 million worth of Greek Cypriot property in northern Cyprus. Court proceedings heard that projects connected to his company included six large tourist and residential developments built on land owned by displaced Greek Cypriots.
The case had become a politically sensitive issue in Cyprus, with Fitiris previously describing it as a particularly sensitive matter because it involved the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the occupied territories, while also saying Cyprus was obliged to honor the transfer agreement. Reuters described the prosecution as one of the most politically charged cases in years.