Common connections and overlapping elements are emerging in the cases involving the misappropriation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas. Yesterday, the procedure for entering a plea by 40-year-old Ukrainian Denys Bohodin was scheduled before the Nicosia Assize Court. He faces charges relating to the advertisement and promotion for sale of properties illegally built on Greek Cypriot land.
The defendant, despite initially expressing his intention to plead guilty to some of the charges in exchange for the remainder being withdrawn, ultimately did not reach an agreement with the prosecution, and the case has been set for hearing.
From the reading of the 36 charges faced by the Ukrainian, two significant points arise. First, he advertised and promoted properties in completed or under-construction complexes built by the Afik group, whose director is the Turkish-Jewish Simón Mistriel Aykut, previously convicted of misappropriation. Aykut, aged 75, who pleaded guilty to 40 charges of misappropriating Greek Cypriot property in the occupied areas, was sentenced last October to five years of immediate imprisonment.
Second, the Ukrainian advertised properties also promoted by two Hungarian women, Ilona Lesko and Melinda Ladanyi, who cooperated with the Cyprus Constructions group, which builds housing and apartment complexes in Kyrenia, Akanthou and Ayios Amvrosios. The two Hungarians were sentenced to two and a half years and 15 months in prison respectively.
Denys Bohodin appears as co-owner of a website and company involved in real estate sales in the occupied areas. The company, GP Cyprus, advertises and sells properties in various locations where large tourist complexes with apartments and villas have been constructed by contracting companies. In a video posted on the company’s YouTube channel, he introduces himself to the public and prospective buyers, stating that he is from Ukraine, specifically Odessa. He also says he has been involved in real estate since 2015 and began operating in the occupied areas from 2022 onwards.
He and other individuals from his company advertise available properties on social media in Trikomo, Akanthou and Ayios Amvrosios. Among other listings, he promotes sales for the tourist complexes Hawaii Homes in Akanthou, Famagusta, and Moonlight Villas in Ayios Amvrosios. He is under investigation for conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent dealings in immovable property belonging to another. The 40-year-old Ukrainian was arrested on 20 March and has been held on remand at the Central Prisons since then. The offences in the indictment are alleged to have been committed from 2022 until 20 March 2025.
Decision pending for German defendant
In another case involving the misappropriation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas, also being heard at the Nicosia Assize Court, the proceedings of the second trial within a trial have concluded for German defendant Ewa Isabella Kunzel. The central issue in this phase is whether the evidential material obtained following a search, which has been deemed illegal by the court during the first trial within a trial, can be accepted or not.
The defence argues that since the court has already ruled that her constitutional rights were violated, any subsequent actions should also be deemed unlawful under the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine.
The prosecution asserts that the earlier decision found the search illegal, not the arrest, and therefore the taking of the defendant’s statement was a lawful consequence of a valid arrest.
After final submissions from both parties, the Assize Court set 18 December as the date for delivering its decision on the second trial within a trial.