A woman holding citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus was released with a monetary fine on Thursday afternoon, days after being detained by occupying authorities at the Ayios Dometios crossing point over an incomplete crossing procedure between the north and the government-controlled areas.
The 45-year-old was brought before a 'military court' in the north on Thursday, where the prosecutor told the court that the woman had driven through the Ayios Dometios crossing point into the north at around 6pm on Friday, 21 August, in violation of what was described as a 'military prohibited zone' and without completing the required immigration procedures.
Arrested the following day
The following day, Saturday, 22 August, at around 1pm, the woman attempted to cross back from the government-controlled areas into the north using the same vehicle. According to the prosecutor, she was informed at that point of the earlier 'offence' and was arrested, with the vehicle seized as evidence. The prosecutor noted that the woman had no prior 'criminal record' and that she accepted the charges against her.
Her lawyer told the court that the woman, who also holds British citizenship, expressed remorse over the incident, saying it was the first time this had happened and that it had occurred due to negligence.
Fine of 15,000 Turkish lira
Taking into account the circumstances of the incident, the woman's personal situation and her clean 'criminal record', the 'military court' imposed a fine of 15,000 Turkish lira, approximately €273.
Source: CNA
