Police have secured an arrest warrant against a German property promoter living in the north, who was expected to provide testimony in an ongoing investigation into the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property on Wednesday.

Martin Josef Rikels did not appear for testimony as expected on 3pm on Wednesday, police spokesman Christos Andreou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

But in the meantime, additional evidence emerged against him, justifying the issuance of an arrest warrant, he added.

Rikels faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, fraudulent transactions concerning property belonging to others, illegal possession and use of land registered to someone else, conspiracy to defraud, and offenses related to money laundering from illegal activities.

The evidence justifying the arrest warrant was obtained in recent days. Neither Rikels nor any lawyer on his behalf appeared at the police on Wednesday, Andreou confirmed.

The German promoter was initially expected to give testimony in the Republic at 3pm on Wednesday. However, Turkish Cypriot press reported that Rikels had earlier filed a request through his lawyer to avoid giving statements to Greek Cypriot police, citing illness. The police rejected his request, insisting on his appearance.

Rikels’ legal representative changed from Alpan Uz to Tarik Kadri, at the time. Getting in contact with the Cyprus Mail Kadri said that he had no relation to property sales in the north, and had only represented Rikels in offering to speak Greek with the police, as the man does not speak English or Greek. Earlier reports in the north had suggested that Kadri was connected to Tatar’s office, something he denied to the Cyprus Mail.

Tatar’s office is also reported to be intervening in the specific case, which is why there was a change of legal representation.

The German suspect, the third in a row suspected of developing and selling Greek Cypriot property without the consent of the owners, was stopped last week while crossing to the south and handed a summons, which he signed.

Kibris Postasi reported late on Friday that the German contractor, residing permanently in the north, was questioned by the police and was released on bail.

“There has not been an arrest,” a police spokesman told the Cyprus Mail on Tuesday. He added that “we are investigating a case of this nature, and statements are being taken.”

He refrained from giving further details.

Well-informed sources told the Cyprus Mail that the police are investigating the case concerning Greek Cypriot property in the north.

The suspect was notified last Wednesday at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point, from where he was crossing into the south, that there was a pending summons to give a statement on June 26.

Last week, Israeli businessman Simon Mistriel Aykut, who is suspected of developing properties worth €43 million in the north on Greek Cypriot land and was arrested in the Republic on June 8, has been remanded in custody until his case is heard in Nicosia criminal court on September 9.