Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar slams French extradition ruling

Northern Cyprus President Ersin Tatar said the Aix‑en‑Provence Court of Appeal’s decision to approve the extradition of Rasa Zilevic is “unacceptable” and a deep disappointment. He warned that the Greek Cypriot side is using criminal investigations and international legal mechanisms as political pressure, describing the development as “extremely concerning.”

Tatar emphasized that the case does not affect only a single individual but concerns all residents, workers and investors in the Turkish‑controlled north of the island. He called for comprehensive political negotiations to resolve property disputes dating from the 1974 conflict and condemned attempts to arrest people under the local legal order, saying such actions undermine trust and the EU’s approach to ending the island’s isolation. He also pledged continued Turkish support for Turkish‑Cypriots and foreign nationals living in the north.