Cypriot MEP urges ICC to investigate Turkey for alleged war crimes in Cyprus

On September 15, 2026, Diko Member of the European Parliament Costas Mavrides formally called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene regarding the ongoing situation in Cyprus. During a plenary session in Strasbourg, Mavrides accused Turkey of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity within European Union territory.

The allegations center on two primary issues: the illegal settlement of the occupied north through the systematic transfer of population from Turkey, and the organized usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties. Mavrides stated that he has submitted a detailed document to the ICC containing what he describes as self-evident proof of these criminal activities. He further criticized the ICC for failing to take action on these matters since 2014, demanding that the court finally initiate indictments against those responsible.

In addition to his legal filing, the MEP announced plans to organize a related conference in Brussels to further highlight the demographic changes and property exploitation in the occupied territories. The move serves as a direct effort to pressure international judicial bodies to address the long-standing Cyprus problem by classifying these specific acts under the jurisdiction of international criminal law.