Title: Legal Dispute Over Land in Ayios Dhometios May Affect Construction of Turkish-Funded Complex
In a developing story from Ayios Dhometios, a legal battle is unfolding over a tract of land earmarked for a significant construction project. Canev Denner, a Turkish Cypriot who acquired nine donums of the land in question back in 1973, has initiated legal proceedings against the local authorities. This move could potentially disrupt plans to build a Turkish-funded Islamic complex, which is intended to house facilities for the ‘parliament,’ the ‘president,’ and include a mosque.
The Press and Information Office has reported that two newspapers in the north, Avrupa and Yeni Duzen, brought attention to Denner’s lawsuit against the ‘government.’ The dispute stems from the fact that, following the Turkish invasion in 1974, Denner was barred from utilizing his property as it was designated a military zone. The majority of the land for the proposed complex is believed to be owned by Greek Cypriots, as indicated by earlier reports.
The trial is scheduled to start on March 20 and could lead to an injunction requiring the ‘authorities’ in the north to cease construction activities. In a twist of events, on May 5, 2017, the Turkish army had returned the land to Denner. However, the ‘government’ later expropriated it for the complex development, with an ‘expropriation decision’ published in the ‘official newspaper’ on February 29, 2024.
Denner has since filed an appeal with the help of legal counsel, calling upon the ‘supreme administrative court’ to put a stop to the construction and to prevent any further actions. Recently, the ‘supreme court’ conducted a hearing and has now summoned the defendants to appear in ‘court’ on the set date. High-ranking officials from the ‘cabinet’ and the ‘transport ministry’ are expected to attend the trial.
The disputed land’s value is estimated to be worth several million pounds. The outcome of this legal confrontation could have significant implications for both the property rights involved and the future of the planned Islamic complex. Stakeholders and observers alike are keenly awaiting the court’s decision on this matter.
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