On the detention of EU Citizens in the Occupied areas of Cyprus

B100383/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the detention of EU Citizens in the Occupied areas of Cyprus

(2025/2860(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the Cyprus issue;

- having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure;

A. Whereas five Cypriot nationals have been arbitrarily arrested and unlawfully detained in the occupied areas of Cyprus since 19 July 2025;

B. Whereas the occupying regime, which is subordinate to Türkiye, is illegal and not internationally recognised;

C. Whereas the five were brought before a “military court” over unfounded allegations of illegal entry and violation of a military prohibited area, after crossing to the occupied areas via the designated Strovilia crossing point;

D. Whereas it was alleged that one of them entered a military prohibited zone by not showing ID at a checkpoint and thus “entered the country illegally,” with the other four accused of aiding and abetting;

E. Whereas all five have been abducted pending investigation, without the right to bail;

F. Whereas on the 2nd of August 2025, the “military court” rejected the request for a three-month remand as insufficiently substantiated, contrary both to the European Court of Human Rights principles; whereas on 27th of August the “military court” restated charges of illegal entry into military area;

1. Strongly condemns the arbitrarily arrest of Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou, and Gregoris Gregoriou in the occupied areas of Cyprus and their unlawfully detention since 19 July 2025;

2. Calls for their immediate release and deplores the ordered detention based on unfounded flight-risk claims, and refused bail for lack of an “organic bond of trust”; condemns the rejection of health-issue claims on the case;

3. Recalls the European Court of Human Rights’s judgment Cyprus v. Turkey of 2001, holding that trying civilians before military courts violates Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights;

4. Condemns the provocative and inhumane treatment against the five detainees and the violation of fundamental human rights and basic freedoms through unjust and illegal procedures;

5. Condemns the escalation of usurpation and intimidation, as well as the targeting of those who choose to address the so-called Immovable Property Commission regarding the Greek-Cypriot properties in the occupied areas of Cyprus;

6. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union to intensify all appropriate diplomatic efforts and actions towards Türkiye with the aim of ensuring the immediate termination of the unlawful detention of the five Cypriot nationals;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union, the Parliaments and Governments of the EU Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Türkiye.