CEDH · CASELAW;JUDGMENTS;CHAMBER;ENG — 2 novembre 2010

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display:inline-block } .sC870B29 { width:188.64pt; display:inline-block } .s576DFC5F { width:15.93pt; display:inline-block } .sAA5C5B93 { width:187.63pt; display:inline-block } .sE7C30868 { margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt; text-indent:14.2pt; text-align:justify } .s9138CF0B { margin-top:36pt; margin-bottom:36pt; text-align:right } .s5E1364CA { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:12pt; text-align:center; page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid; font-size:14pt } .sCA1147F8 { margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt; text-align:center; page-break-inside:avoid; page-break-after:avoid } .sA1D3DA2E { margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:justify }       FOURTH SECTION             CASE OF LORDOS AND OTHERS v. TURKEY   (Application no. 15973/90)               JUDGMENT ( merits )     STRASBOURG   2 November 2010   FINAL   11/04/2011   This judgment has become final under Article 44 § 2 (c) of the Convention. It may be subject to editorial revision. In the case of Lordos and Others v. Turkey, The European Court of Human Rights (Fourth Section), sitting as a Chamber composed of:   Nicolas Bratza, President,   Lech Garlicki,   Ljiljana Mijović,   David Thór Björgvinsson,   Ján Šikuta,   Päivi Hirvelä,   Işıl Karakaş, judges, and Fatoş Aracı, Deputy Section Registrar , Having deliberated in private on 5 October 2010, Delivers the following judgment, which was adopted on that date: PROCEDURE 1.     The case originated in an application (no. 15973/90) against the Republic of Turkey lodged with the European Commission of Human Rights (“the Commission”) under former Article 25 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) by thirteen Cypriot nationals, Mr Constantinos G. Lordos, Mr   Kikis L. Christofides, Mr Zacharias Spiridonos, Mr Stavros Ioannou, Mr   Areti G. Ionides, Mr Michalis Evangelides, Mr Loizos D. Loizides, Mr   Christos Hadjimanolis, Mr Panayiotis Sergis, Mr Georgios Misirlis, Mr   Georgios Rouvas, Mrs Eleni (alias Lenia) Antoniadou and Mr Stelios Mandrides (“the applicants”), on 20 December 1989. 2.     The applicants were represented by Mr A. Demetriades, a lawyer practising in Nicosia. The Turkish Government (“the Government”) were represented by their Agent, Mr   Z.M.   Necatigil. 3.     The applicants alleged, in particular, that the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus had deprived them of their homes and properties and that they had been the victims of discrimination on grounds of their ethnic origin and religious beliefs. 4.     The application was transmitted to the Court on 1 November 1998, when Protocol No. 11 to the Convention came into force (Article 5 § 2 of Protocol No. 11). 5.     By a decision of 27   June   2000 the Court declared the application partly admissible. 6.     On 11 April 2001 Mr Panayiotis Sergis (hereinafter also referred as applicant no. 9) died. In 2002 the executor of his will, Mr Andis Scordis, transferred the properties of the deceased to his children. On 12 January 2004 their representative indicated that the wife of applicant no. 9, Mrs   Eleni (alias Lenia) Sergi, and his three children, Sophia, Marianna and Dimitris Sergi, wished to continue the proceedings before the Court. 7.     By two written declarations of 5 December 2008, Mr Loizos Loizides and Mr Georghios Rouvas (hereinafter also referred to as applicants nos. 7 and 11) stated that they no longer wished “to proceed further with the case”. 8.     The applicants and the Government each filed observations on the merits (Rule 59 § 1). In addition, third-party comments were received from the Government of Cyprus, which had exercised its right to intervene (Article 36 § 1 of the Convention and Rule 44 § 1 (b)). 9.     On 21 November 2008 the Evkaf Administration, a religious trust whose headquarters were located in Nicosia (northern Cyprus), sought leave to intervene as a third party (Article 36 § 2 of the Convention). It alleged that it was the owner of some of the properties claimed by the applicants and that the latter had obtained registration of these properties in their names against the principles set out in the “Ahkâm-ül Evkaf Laws”. These principles, adopted with the advent of Ottoman rule in Cyprus, had been upheld and confirmed by subsequent administrations. On 5   December 2008 the President of the Fourth Section of the Court decided to refuse the Evkaf Administration's request, as its intervention was not necessary in the interests of the proper administration of justice (Rule 44 § 2 of the Rules of Court). THE FACTS 10.     The applicants were born in 1940, 1941, 1938, 1952, 1946, 1953, 1925, 1940, 1929, 1952, 1926, 1948 and 1948 respectively and live in southern Cyprus. 11.     The applicants alleged that their homes, as well as other immovable properties, had been in the districts of Famagusta and Kyrenia (northern Cyprus). In July 1974, as the Turkish troops were advancing, they had been forced to leave their houses and belongings. 12.     The properties claimed by the applicants were described as follows in the Court's final decision on the admissibility of the application. 13.     Properties of applicant no. 1, Mr Constantinos G. Lordos : (1)   Kyrenia, Livera, Fyrades-Tsounni, Plot No. 1, Sheet/Plan: 5/54, Area: 47:2:335m² Use: Land, Share:   1/15; (2)   Famagusta, Egkomi, Salamina, Plot No. 56/1, Sheet/Plan: 24/42, Area: 0:8:900m², Use: Land, Share:   1/12; (3) Famagusta, Trikomo, Finikoudia/Leivadia, Plot Nos. 209, 211, 199/1, Sheet/Plan: 15/43, Area: 0:3:213, 0:1:894, 1:3:409, Use: Land, Share: 1/3, 1/3, ½ respectively; (4) Famagusta, Trikomo, Pervolia Trikomou/Kokkines, Plot No. 140/1, Sheet/Plan: 15/43, Area: 1:6:92, Use: Land, Share: 1/3; (5) Famagusta, Vasili, Ammos, Plot Nos. 172, 173, 179, Sheet/Plan:   8/21, Area: 0:8:455m², 0:8:848, 0:4:977, Use: Land, Share: 1/8 in total; (6) Famagusta, Vasili, Ammos, Plot Nos. 190, 191, 193, 194, 195, 196, Sheet/Plan: 8/21, Area: 0:6:924, 0:9:912, 0:1:800, 0:1:791, 0:2:370, 0:2:568, Use: Land, Share: ½ in total; (7) Famagusta, Avgorou, Mantres tou Tzipou, Plot No. 187, Sheet/Plan: 32/40, Area: 0:6:331, Use: Land, Share: ¼; (8) Famagusta, Avgorou, Mantres tou Tzipou, Plot Nos. 204, 205, 206, 207, 208/1, 208/2, Sheet/Plan: 32/40, Area: 1:1:3, 1:3:704, 0:4:513, 0:4:696, 0:2:655, 0:2:508, Use: Land, Share:   ¼; (9) Famagusta, Ayios Theodoros, Valia, Plot No. 14, Sheet/Plan: 15/24, Area: 1:1:520, Use: Land, Share:   1/5; (10) Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1265, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.4, Use: Shop A Lordos Cyprian Court, Share: No. 1265, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.4, Use: Shop D - Lordos Cyprian Court, Share: 100%; (11) Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 777, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.1.2, Block   A, Area: 0:1:864, Use: Land and buildings, Share: ¼; (12) Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1009, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.6.2, Block D, Area 0:0:660, Use: Land and building 10 shops, 8 flats, 2 underground stores, Share: ¼; (13) Famagusta, Ayios Memnon, Plot Nos. 370, 379, Sheet/Plan:   33/29.3.4, Block E, Area: 0:3:821, Use: Land, Share: 7/20; (14) Famagusta, Acropolis, Plot No. 463, Sheet/Plan: 33/21/4.3, Block J, Area: 0:0:260, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (15) Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 83, 85, Sheet/Plan: 33/3, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Land under development, Share: ¼; (16) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 19, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Block D, Area:   1:8:80, Use: Land in industrial area, Share: 1/6; (17) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 1192, 1194, 1181, 1183, Sheet/Plan:   24/60, Block C, Area: 0:0:521, 0:0:535, 0:0:518, 0:0:530, Use:   Building site, Share: 1/10, 1/10, ¼, ¼ respectively; (18) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 49, Sheet/Plan:. 24.60, Block D, Area:   6:5:350, Use: Land, Share: 11/80; (19) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 949, Sheet/Plan: 24/60, Block C, Area: 4:7:9, Use: Land under development, Share: 1/10; (20) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 180, 181, 183, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Block D, Area: 0:0:970, 0:0:838, 0:0:731, Use: Building sites, Share: ¼; (21) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 192, 194, 195, Sheet/Plan: 33/3, Block D, Area: 0:0:793, 0:0:771, 0:0:801, Use: Building sites, Share: ¼; (22) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 667, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Block D, Area: 0:0:533, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (23) Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 1960, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Block D, Area: 4:5:732, Use: Land, Share: 17/100; (24) Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 1650, 1651, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1665, 1667, 1668, 1680, Sheet/Plan: 33/3, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Land, Share: 7/20; (25) Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot No. 1703, Sheet/Plan: 33/3, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site, Share: 7/20; (26) Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1006, Sheet/Plan: 33/12/6.2, Block D, Area: 0:0:552, Use: Land and buildings, 6 shops, 4 bedroom (offices), 2 underground stores, Share ¼; (27) Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 781, Sheet/Plan: 3/12.1.2. Block   A, Area: 1:0:1455, Use: Golden Plage Hotel (3 star) (96 rooms, reception room, bar, cafeteria, restaurant), Share: ¼; (28) Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 181, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.1.2, Block   A, Area: 0:0:466, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (29) Famagusta, Kantara, Plot No. 56, Sheet/Plan: 68/39, Area:   Unknown, Use: Kantara Lodge (9 double rooms, billiard room, sitting room), Share ¼; (30) Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 850, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.2.1, Block   A, Area: Unknown, Use: Studio No. 6 Lordos des Sirenes, Share:   100%; (31) Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 850, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.2.1, Block   A, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 9 Lordos des Sirenes, Share: 100%; (32) Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.2 Block   C, Area: 0:1:815, Use: Shop No. 1- Lordos Waterfront, Share: 100%; (33) Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.2, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No.4 – 1 st Floor Lordos Waterfront, Share: 100%; (34) Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.2, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 36 - 2 bedrooms - 5 th Floor Lordos Waterfront, Share: 100%; (35)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.2, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No 31 4 th Floor, Lordos Waterfront, Share: ¼; (36)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13/1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Shop B- Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (37)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 2 - 1 bedroom ground floor - Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (38)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 33 - 2 bedrooms - 7 th Floor Lordos Seagate Court; (39)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 52 - 2 bedrooms - 1 st Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (40)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 54 - 2 bedrooms - 2 nd Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (41)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 62 - 2 bedrooms - Ground Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (42)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 75 - 2 bedrooms - 4 th Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (43)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 77 - 2 bedrooms - Ground Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (44)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 17 - 3 bedrooms - 3 rd Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (45)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 56 - 2 bedrooms - 3 rd Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: ¼; (46)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 58 - 2 bedrooms - 4 th Floor Lordos Seagate Court, Share: ¼; (47)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 542, Sheet/Plan: 24/51, Block D, Area: 0:0:557, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (48)   Famagusta, Kennedy Avenue, Plot No. 982, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.2.3 +33/21.2.1, Area: Unknown, Use: Apollon Court, Flats facing sea furnished and rented as hotel apartments, Share: 100%; (49)   Famagusta, Kennedy Avenue, Plot No. 850, Sheet/Plan: 33.21.2.1, Area: Unknown, Use: Shops, Share: ¼; (50)   Famagusta, Kennedy Avenue, Plot No. 850, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.2.1, Area: Unknown, Use: 2 Flats facing the sea in Lordos les Sirenes Court, Share: 100%; (51)   Famagusta, Stavros, Plot No. 995, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.IV, Area:   0:0:21, Use: Lordos Etoile Court- 1 Flat facing sea, Share: 100%; (52)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos Plot Nos. 561, 563, 355, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.IV, Area: Unknown, Use: one three bedroom flat, Share: 100%; (53)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No - Sheet Number - Unknown, Area:   Unknown, Use: Lordos Seagate Court - 2 one bedroom flats - 1 three bedroom flat - 2 two bedroom flats, Share: 100%; (54) Famagusta, Tricomo, Plot No. 89, Sheet/Plan: 15/59, Area:   0:3:711, Use: Seaside land near Nicolas Beach, Share: ½; (55) Famagusta, Ayios Sergios, Plot No. 60, Sheet/Plan: 24/11, Area: 0:3:202, Use: Seaside land, Share: ½; (56)   Famagusta, Ayios Sergios, Plot Nos. 261, 262, Sheet/Plan: 24/18, Area: 0:4:770, 0:6:244, Use: Seaside land, Share: ½; (57)   Famagusta, Ayios Sergios, Plot No. 68/2, Sheet/Plan: 24/10, Area: Unknown, Use: 15 Building sites, Share: ¼; (58)   Famagusta, Limnia, Plot and Sheet Nos. Unknown, Area: 6   Donums, Use: Land abutting main Famagusta Nicosia new road; (59)   Famagusta, Ayios Sergios, Plot and Sheet Nos. Unknown, Area: 16   Donums, Use: Orange Garden at Ayios Sergios, Apostolos Varnavas; (60)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Salamis Avenue, Plot Nos. 4, 25, 27, 34, 38, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.E.1, Area: Unknown, Use: 5 Building sites in Eucalyptus Plantation, Share: 100%; (61)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot No. 1960, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Area: 34:0:2655, Use: Building land, Share: 17/100; (62)   Famagusta, Neoptolemos Street, Plot Nos. 406, 1457, 1460, 1474, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Area: unknown, 0:0:541, 0:0:523, 0:0:505, Share: 100% with exception of Plot No. 1457 where share ½; (63)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Salamis Avenue, Plot No. Unknown, Sheet/Plan: 24/59, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site, Eucalyptus plantation, Share: ½; (64)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot No. Unknown, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.E.1 +11, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site No. 30, Eucalyptus Plantation, Share: ¼; (65)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 156, 324, 289, Sheet/Plan:   24/59- 33/03, Area: 5:2:939, 1:1:262, 3:0:109, Use: Building land: 90 Donums abutting main Salamis Avenue, UN Camp, Share: ½; (66)   Famagusta: Ayios Loucas, Karaolos, Plot No. 1480, Sheet/Plan:   24/60, Area: 1:5:423, Use: Building land, Share: 1/10; (67)   Famagusta, Karaolos, Plot No. 506, 507, Sheet/Plan: 33/4.W.1 + 24/60.W.2, Area: 16 Donums, Use: 9 Building sites, Share: ½; (68) Famagusta Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 204 and 205 Sheet/Plan: 33/4, Area: 1:1:814, Use: 9 Donums, Building sites in the vicinity of New Famagusta Harbour, Share: ¼; (69)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot No. 395, Sheet Plan: 33/59, Area: Unknown, Share: ¼. 14.     On 8 July 2003 the representative of applicant no. 1 declared that his client wished to add further properties to those indicated above. The Government considered that the Court should not take into consideration additional claims submitted after the adoption of the decision on admissibility. 15.     Properties of applicant no. 2, Mr Kikis L. Christofides : (1)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 272, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.4, Area: 521m², Use: Residence on 1 st floor and rented shops and offices on ground Floor, Share: ½; (2)   Famagusta, Kantara Davlos, Plot No. 7/50, Sheet/Plan: 68.13/1/1, Area: Unknown, Use: House with a garden, Share: 100%; (3) Famagusta, Lefkonico, Registration No. 4400, Plot No. 300/1, Sheet/Plan: 14/60, Area: 0:1:822, Use: Buildings & buildings sites all for rent, Share: 100%; (4)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 293, Sheet/Plan: 33/13, Block   E, Area: 0:1:130, Use: multi-storey building complex of hotel apartments all for rent, Share: ½; (5)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1002 Sheet/Plan: 33/12 Block   D, Area: 736m², Use: Building & offices, one of which was the applicant's office, Share: ½; (6)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Registration No. 5355, Plot No. 776, Sheet/Plan: 3319, Block D, Area: 1:3:3200, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: ½; (7)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 782, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (8)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 783, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (9)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 784, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (10)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 785, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block   D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (11)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 786, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block   D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (12)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 787, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block   D, Area: Unknown, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (13)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 788, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block   D, Area: 0:1:2200, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (14)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Plot No. 789, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block   D, Area: 0:1:2200, Use: Building site for development or sale, Share: 100%; (15)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Registration No. 5385, Plot No. 806, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: 0:1:500, Use: Plot of land for development or sale, Share: ½; (16)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Registration No. 5386, Plot No. 807, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: 0:1:3200, Use: Plot of land for development or sale, Share: ½; (17)   Famagusta, Larnaca Road, Registration No. 5394, Plot No. 815, Sheet/Plan: 33/19, Block D, Area: 1:2:400, Use: Plot of land for development or sale, Share: ½; (18)   Famagusta, Ayios Lukas, Plot No. 617, Sheet/Plan: 33/11, Block B, Area: Unknown, Use: Plot of land with a well, Share: 100%. 16.     Applicant no. 2 also referred to 31 properties which were registered in the name of his wife, Mrs Eleni. K. Christofides, and one property which was registered in the name of his mother, Mrs C. L. Christofides. 17.     Properties of applicant no. 3, Mr Zacharias Spyridonos : - Famagusta, Monarga, Boghas, Registration No. 289, Plot No. 370/30, Sheet/Plan: 289, Area: 0:2:2000, Use: Residence along with other buildings and land, Share: 100%. 18.     Applicant no. 4, Mr Stavros Ioannou , claimed that his father, Mr   Yiannis Ioannou, was the owner of the following property: - Famagusta, Ayia Zoni, Plot No. 162, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.4.1, Area: 2809   m², Use: Residence, Share: 100%. 19.     Properties of applicant no. 5, Mr Areti G. Ionides : (1)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1265, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.IV Block E, Area: Unknown, Use: Shop G - ground floor, Lordos Cyprian Court, Share: 100%; (2)   Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 777, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.I.II – Block   A, Area: 1:1:2063, Use: Land and buildings, Share: ¼; (3)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1009, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.6.II, Block D, Area: 0:1:3504, Use: 10 shops, 8 flats, 2 underground stores, Share: ¼; (4)   Famagusta, Ayios Memnon, Plot Nos. 370,379, Sheet/Plan:   33/29.3.III, Block E, Area: 0:3: 821, Use: Land, Share: ¼; (5)   Famagusta, Akropolis, Plot No. 463, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.4.III, Area:   0:0:2798, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (6)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 85, 83, Sheet/Plan: 33/3 W.2, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Land under development, Share: ¼; (7)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 19, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.W.2, Block C, Area: 13:2:211, Use: Land in industrial area, Share:   1/6; (8)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 1181, 1183, 1192, 1194, Sheet/Plan:   24/60. W.2, Block C, Area: 0:1:1975, 0:1:2104, 0:1:2007, 0:1:2158, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (9)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 49, Sheet/Plan: 24/60.W.2, Block D, Area: 48:3:1421, Use: Land, Share: ¼; (10)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 949, Sheet/Plan: 24/60.W.2, Block   C, Area: 35:0:2000, Use: Land under development, Share: ¼; (11)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 180, 181, 183, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.E.2, Block D, Area: 0:2:3240, 0:2:1820, 0:2:668, Use: Building sites, Share: ¼; (12)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot Nos. 192, 194, 195, Sheet/Plan: 33/3.E.1, Block D, Area: 0:2:1335, 0:2:1098, 0:2:1421, Use: Building sites, Share: ¼; (13)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 667, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.W.1, Block   D, Area: 0:1:2137, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (14)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 1960, Sheet/Plan: 24/59.E.1, Block   D, Area: 34:0:2655, Use: Land, Share: ¼; (15)   Famagusta, Ayios Loucas, Plot Nos. 1650, 1651, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1665, 1667, 1668, 1680, 1703, Sheet/Plan: 33/3.E.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Building sites, Share: ¼; (16)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1006, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.6.II, Block D, Area: 0:1:2341, Use: 6 shops, 4 bedrooms-offices, 2 underground stores, Share: 1/8; (17)   Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 781, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.1.2, Block   A, Area: 1:0:1455, Use: Golden Plage Hotel (3 star hotel, 96 rooms, reception room, bar, cafeteria, restaurant, upper ground floor), Share: ¼; (18)   Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 181, Sheet/Plan: 33.21.1.II, Block   A, Area: 0:1:1415, Use: Building site, Share: ¼; (19)   Famagusta, Kantara, Plot Nos. 56, 68/39, Sheet/Plan: VII/50.6.I, Area: Unknown, Use: Kantara Lodge (9 double rooms, billiard room, sitting room), Share: ¼; (20)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.II, Block   C, Area: 1:1:1536, Use: Shop No. 6 - Lordos Waterfront, Share: ¼; (21)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.II, Block C, Area: 1:1:1536, Use: Flat No. 32 - 2 bedrooms - 4 th Floor - Lordos Waterfront, Share: 100%; (22)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 645, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.II, Block C, Area: 1:1:1536, Use: Flat No. 31 - 2 bedrooms - 4 th Floor - Lordos Waterfront, Share: ¼; (23)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Shop C - Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (24)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 11 - 1 bedroom - 2 nd Floor, Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (25)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Studio No. 46 - 11 th Floor - Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (26)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 38 - 2 bedrooms - 9 th Floor - Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (27)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 105 - 2 bedrooms - ground floor, Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (28)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 13 - 3 bedrooms - 2 nd floor, Lordos Seagate Court, Share: 100%; (29)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 56 - 2 bedrooms - 3 rd floor, Lordos Seagate Court, Share: ¼; (30)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 714, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.1, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Flat No. 58 - 2 bedrooms - 4 th Floor, Lordos Seagate Court, Share: ¼; (31)   Famagusta, Salamina, Plot No. 542, Sheet/Plan: 24/51.E.1, Area: 0:1:2395, Use: Building site, Share: ¼. 20.     On 24 July 2003 the representative of applicant no. 5 declared that his client wished to add further properties to those indicated above. The Government considered that the Court should not take into consideration additional claims submitted after the adoption of the decision on admissibility. 21.     Property of applicant no. 6, Mr Michalis Evangelides : - Famagusta, Chrisi Akti, Plot No. 701, Sheet/Plan: 33//13.4.3, Area: Unknown, Use: Home, Share: 100% according to the documents submitted at the admissibility stage, ½ according to the expert report submitted with the just satisfaction claims. 22.     Applicant no. 8, Mr Christos Hadjimanolis , claimed that his wife, Mrs Melani Hadjimanoli, was the owner of the following property: - Famagusta, Ayia Zoni, Registration No. 9514, Plot No. 308, Sheet/Plan: 33/20.6. IV, Area: 0:2:1152, Use: Residence, Share: 100%. 23.     Properties of applicant no. 9, Mr Panayiotis Sergis : (1)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kasallos, Plot No., Area, Sheet/Plan and Registration Number could not be obtained. Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (2)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Registration No. 6447, Plot No.   292/6, Sheet/Plan: 283/1/2, Area: 0:1: 2400, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (3)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6449, Plot Nos. 283/1/4, 291/1, 292/8, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (4)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6456, Plot No. 283/1/5, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:3400, Use:   Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (5)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6457, Plot No. 283/1/6, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:2:0, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (6)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6458, Plot No. 283/1/7, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:2:0, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (7)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6452, Plot Nos. 283/1/8, 291/4 Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (8)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6453, Plot Nos. 283/1/9, 291/5 Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (9)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6459, Plot No. 283/1/10, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:2:0, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (10)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6460, Plot No. 283/2/1, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:2:100, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (11)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6461, Plot No. 283/2/1, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2400, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (12)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6462, Plot No. 283/2/2, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2800, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (13)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6463, Plot No. 283/2/3, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2700, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (14)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6464, Plot No. 283/2/4, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (15)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6465, Plot Nos. 283/2/5, 291/8, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (16)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6466, Plot Nos. 283/2/6, 290/1, 291/9, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2700, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (17)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6467, Plot Nos. 290/2, 291/10, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2100, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (18) Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6468, Plot No. 291/6, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2300, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (19)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6468, Plot No. 291/7, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:1900, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (20)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6442, Plot Nos. 292/1, 305.3/2, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2900, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (21)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6443, Plot Nos. 292/2, 305.3/3, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:3200, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (22)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6444, Plot Nos. 292/3, 305.3/4, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:2:400, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (23)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6445, Plot No. 292/4, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2600, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%; (24)   Famagusta, Trikomo, Kotsines, Karpasias Road, Registration No.   6441, Plot No. 305.3/1, Sheet/Plan: 15/43.E.II, Area: 0:1:2900, Use: Building site for sale or development, Share: 100%. 24.     Applicant no. 10, Mr Georgios Misirlis , claimed that his wife, Mrs   Mari G. Misirli, was the owner of the following property: - Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 287, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.3.IV, Block   B, Area: Unknown, Use: the 2 nd floor was a residence and the ground floor were shops for rent, Share: 100%. 25.     Property of applicant no. 12, Mrs Eleni (alias Lenia) Andoniadou : - Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 170, Sheet/Plan: 33/12, Block A, Area: 733m², Use: Residence, Share: ½. 26.     Property of applicant no. 13, Mr Stelios Mandrides : - Famagusta, Chrysi Akti, Plot No. 28, Sheet/Plan: 33/21.2.3, Block C, Area: Unknown, Use: Apartment, residence (2 flats), Share: 100%; 27.     Applicant no. 13 also claimed that Mandrides Properties Ltd and Famagusta Hotels Ltd, two companies of which he and his sister Athina were the sole shareholders, were the owners of the following properties: (1)   Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Registration No. 4186, Plot No. 97, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.4.1, Block E, Area: 0:1:1857, Use: Hotel apartments for rent (16 holiday flats) and cafeteria on ground floor; (2) Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Registration No. 3253, Plot No. 112, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.6.2, Block E, Area: 0:2:1927, Use: Hotel apartments for rent (35 holiday flats) and cafeteria on ground floor; (3)   Famagusta, Ayios Ioannis, Plot No. 165, Sheet/Plan: 33/13.1.4, Block   C, Area: Unknown, Use: Beach hotel (2 star with 23 rooms); (4) Famagusta, Ayios Nicolaos, Plot No. 1185, Sheet/Plan: 33/12.6.2, Block D, Area: 0:1:1200, Use: Building consisting of ground floor shops, offices and apartments, investment income property; (5) Famagusta, Ayios Memnon, Plot No. 330, Sheet/Plan: 33/29.3.4, Block E, Area: 2:0:1059, Use: Plot of land on the Famagusta Beach destined for a hotel. Applicant no. 13 owned 51% of the shares in the two limited companies, while the remaining 49% belonged to Mrs Athina Mandrides. 28.     In support of their claim to ownership, the applicants submitted either copies of the relevant original title deeds or copies of certificates of affirmation of ownership of Turkish-occupied immovable property issued by the Republic of Cyprus after 1974. Applicant no. 9 failed to produce evidence supporting his claim that he was the owner of the building site in Famagusta described in paragraph 23 (1) above. 29.     In its final decision on the admissibility of the application the Court noted that the respondent Government did not challenge any of the titles regarding the immovable properties described above. 30.     The applicants alleged that since 1974 they had not been able to return to their homes and had been continuously prevented from using and enjoying their properties. THE LAW I.     PRELIMINARY ISSUES 31.     In its final decision on the admissibility of the application, the Court stated that in the light of its findings in the case of Loizidou v.   Turkey ((merits), 18   December 1996, Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1996-VI), the facts complained of fell within the jurisdiction of Turkey, which had, in the northern part of Cyprus, the obligation to secure to the applicants the rights and freedoms set out in the Convention (see also Cyprus v.   Turkey ([GC], no.   25781/94, §§   69-81, ECHR 2001-IV). As a result, the application could not be rejected as incompatible ratione personae with the provisions of the Convention or of its Protocols. 32.     The Court sees no reason to depart from this finding. It will therefore proceed on the assumption that Turkey is responsible for the acts complained of, even if performed by the authorities of the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (the “TRNC”). 33.     The Court further notes that applicant no. 9 (Mr Panayiotis Sergis) died on 11 April 2001 after his application had been declared admissible and while the case was still pending before the Court. His heirs (his wife, Mrs   Eleni (alias Lenia) Sergi, and his three children, Sophia, Marianna and Dimitris Sergi ) informed the Court that they wished to pursue the application in his name (see paragraph 6 above). Although the heirs of a deceased applicant cannot claim a general right to the continued examination of the deceased's application (see Scherer v.   Switzerland , 25   March 1994, Series A no. 287), the Court has accepted on a number of occasions that close relatives of a deceased applicant are entitled to take his or her place (see Deweer v.   Belgium , 27   February 1980, § 37, Series A no.   35, and Raimondo v. Italy , 22   February 1994, § 2, Series A no. 281-A). 34.     For the purposes of the instant case, the Court is prepared to accept that   Eleni, Sophia, Marianna and Dimitris Sergi (applicant no. 9's wife and children) can pursue the application initially brought by Mr   Panayiotis Sergis (see, mutatis mutandis , Hadjithomas and Others v. Turkey (merits), no.   39970/98, §§ 14-15, 22 September 2009; Kirilova and Others v.   Bulgaria , nos.   42908/98, 44038/98, 44816/98 and 7319/02, § 85, 9 June 2005; and Nerva and Others v. the United Kingdom , no. 42295/98, §   33, ECHR 2002 ‑ VIII). II.     WITHDRAWAL OF THE APPLICATION 35.     The Court observes that applicants nos. 7 and 11 declared that they no longer wished “to proceed further with the case” (see paragraph   7 above). The Court considers that, in these circumstances, applicants nos.   7 and 11 may be regarded as no longer wishing to pursue their application, within the meaning of Article 37 § 1 (a) of the Convention. 36.     Furthermore, in accordance with Article 37 § 1 in fine , the Court finds no special circumstances regarding respect for human rights as defined in the Convention and its Protocols which require the continued examination of the case with regard to the above-mentioned applicants. 37.     In view of the above, it is appropriate to strike the application out of the list of cases as far as applicants nos. 7 and 11 are concerned (see Loizou and Others v. Turkey (merits), no. 16682/90, §§ 49-52, 22 September 2009). 38.     The Court will accordingly examine only the complaints lodged by applicants nos. 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 12 and 13 (hereinafter referred to as “the applicants”). III.     THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIONS OF INADMISSIBILITY FOR NON-EXHAUSTION OF DOMESTIC REMEDIES AND LACK OF VICTIM STATUS 39.     The Government raised preliminary objections of inadmissibility for non-exhaustion of domestic remedies and lack of victim status. These objections were identical to those raised in the case of Alexandrou v. Turkey ((merits), no. 16162/90, §§ 11-22, 20   January 2009). Moreover, in a letter of 22 April 2010 the Government requested the Court to declare the application inadmissible for non-exhaustion of domestic remedies in the light of the principles affirmed by the Grand Chamber (see Demopoulos and Others , Chrysostomi, Lordos and Lordou Anastasiou , Kanari-Eliadou and Others , Sotirou and Moushoutta , Stylas , Charalambou Onofriou and Others and Chrisostomi v. Turkey [GC] (dec.), nos.   46113/99, 3843/02, 13751/02, 13466/03, 10200/04, 14163/04, 19993/04, 21819/04, 1 March 2010. They argued that the applicants should address their claims to the Immovable Property Commission (the “IPC”) instituted by the “TRNC” Law 67/2005. They reiterated their position on the issue of exhaustion of domestic remedies in the present case and in other similar cases on 8 and 22 June 2010. On 21 September 2010 they argued that as the present case had been adjourned awaiting the result of the case of Demopoulos and Others , it would be contradictory not to take into account the principles affirmed by the Grand Chamber in the above-mentioned decision. 40.     The Court first observes that the Government's submissions of 22   April, 8 and 22 June and 21 September 2010 were unsolicited; they were received by the Registry long after the expiration of the time-limit for filing observations on the merits and/or comments on just satisfaction and months after the delivery of the Grand Chamber's decision in Demopoulos . It could therefore be held that the Government are estopped for raising the matter at this stage of the proceedings. 41.     In any event, the Court cannot but reiterate its case-law according to which objections based on non-exhaustion of domestic remedies raised after an application has been declared admissible cannot be taken into account at the merits stage (see Demades v. Turkey (merits), no.   16219/90, §   20, 31   July 2003, and Alexandrou (merits), cited above, § 21). This approach has not been modified by the Grand Chamber, as the cases of Demopoulos and Others had not been admissible when Law 67/2005 entered into force and when Turkey objected that domestic remedies had not been exhausted (see, inter alia , Petrakidou v. Turkey , no. 16081/90, § 36, 27 May 2010, and Sophia Andreou v. Turkey (just satisfaction), no. 18360/91, § 11, 22 June 2010). 42.     It follows that the Government's objections should be dismissed for the reasons indicated in the Alexandrou judgment, cited above. IV.     THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIONS OF INADMISSIBILITY RATIONE TEMPORIS AND RATIONE MATERIAE A. Arguments before the Court 1.     The Government 43.     The Government submitted that the applicants had no title to the properties in question in view of the constitutional and legal provisions applying in the “TRNC” and/or in view of the administrative acts of expropriation under the laws of the “TRNC”. As a result of the entry into force of Article   159 of the “TRNC” Constitution, the properties claimed in the present application were no longer registered in their names. 44.     The Government argued that the applicants' allegations of violations of the Convention which had occurred before 22 January 1990 should be rejected. Furthermore, there had been no causal link between the 1974 Turkish military intervention and the alleged violation of the applicants' rights. 45.     In the light of the above, the Government submitted that the application was incompatible either ratione materiae or ratione temporis with the provisions of the Convention. 2.     The applicants 46.     The applicants maintained that they were the owners of the properties mentioned in the application, as shown by the documents submitted by them and issued by the lawful and internationally recognised authorities of the Republic of Cyprus. The respondent Government had failed to produce the original full records of the Land Authority of the Republic of Cyprus, which they illegally retained. 47.     As regards the ratione temporis jurisdiction of the Court, the applicants submitted that they had had a proprietary interest in the disputed properties after the date on which Turkey accepted the jurisdiction of the Commission and the Court, and that there had been an interference with that right after that date. There was no doubt that the applicants had had such an interest since at least 1974. Relying on the principles developed by the Court in the case of Loizidou ((merits, cited above), they alleged that Article   159 of the “TRNC” Constitution and all subsequent legislation enacted by the “TRNC” authorities had no legal validity . 3.     The third party intervener 48.     The Government of Cyprus observed that in the case of Loizidou ((merits), cited above) the Court had found that Turkey had responsibility for securing human rights in the occupied area of Cyprus. They challenged the respondent Government's allegations that the “TRNC” was a State or an entity exercising effective authority, the creation of which had interrupted the chain of any Turkish responsibility for the events which took place in northern Cyprus. They further submitted that the violations of the right of property which occurred in the “TRNC” territory constituted a continuing situation and not an instantaneous act of deprivation of ownership. B.     The Court's assessment 49.     In its final decision on the admissibility of the application, the Court considered that the Government's objections that the application was incompatible ratione materiae , because the applicants had never acquired title to the properties concerned or had lost their title, or ratione temporis , because there was no question of a continuing violation that could have subsisted until Turkey recognised the right of individual petition, were closely linked with the substance of the applicants' complaints and should be examined together with the merits. 50.     As to the alleged incompatibility rat