Appeals court rejects claims over Turkish Cypriot properties in Paphos

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, the Appeals Court of Cyprus rejected a lawsuit against the Attorney General and the Minister of Interior, acting as the Guardian of Turkish Cypriot Properties. The case involved 125 land parcels in the Paphos district, which currently host the Paphos International Airport, the Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base, a residential settlement, and agricultural plots used by Greek Cypriot refugees. The claimants, consisting of Turkish Cypriot owners and heirs along with a Greek Cypriot administrator, demanded the return of the properties and approximately 41 million euros in damages. They sought compensation for alleged illegal intervention, rent arrears, and violations of human and constitutional rights. The Paphos District Court had previously rejected the lawsuit in 2022, ruling that no illegal intervention or human rights violation had occurred. The lower court also upheld the Guardian’s decision to block the property transfer due to an undisclosed heir. The Appeals Court maintained these findings, confirming the original dismissal of the case.