Philenews

Aykut's Transfer to Israel Imminent: Five-Year Sentence for Property Theft

Published February 15, 2026, 17:13
Aykut's Transfer to Israel Imminent: Five-Year Sentence for Property Theft

Israeli citizen Simon Aykut is expected to be transferred to Israel within the week to serve the remainder of his sentence. Aykut was sentenced to five years in prison in Cyprus for property theft from displaced Greek Cypriots in the occupied territories. The transfer is taking place based on an agreement with Israel and with the consent of the Republic of Cyprus, which is obligated to comply with the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris confirmed that Cyprus must adhere to the transfer agreement, emphasizing that the request came from Israel and there were no objections in the Council of Ministers. The process is expected to be completed soon, allowing Aykut to serve the remainder of his sentence in his homeland. Meanwhile, Aykut's family expresses concern about his health and is calling for his immediate return for medical care. However, Israel is obligated to ensure the serving of the sentence in accordance with the Convention. The case has attracted significant interest in the Israeli media, which is closely monitoring the progress of the transfer and highlighting its legal and humanitarian aspects.