Lithuanian woman detained in France over activities in Northern Cyprus to be extradited to the Republic of Cyprus

The French Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of Lithuanian national Rasa Zilvichė, who was detained under a European Arrest Warrant issued by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus.

Zilvichė is accused of activities related to the sale of Greek Cypriot property in Northern Cyprus. In particular, she is accused of promoting certain tourism projects in the Kyrenia area and carrying out activities involving property owned by Greek Cypriots.

The woman was detained on 16 May 2026 at Nice Airport on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant issued by the Republic of Cyprus. She was released under judicial supervision the same day, after which the extradition proceedings continued.

A court hearing was held in France on 24 June. On 1 July, a French court granted the Republic of Cyprus’s extradition request for Zilvichė and ordered the European Arrest Warrant to be executed. She subsequently appealed the decision.

The French Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. The court also did not regard as a precedent the earlier ruling in the case of Iranian national Behdad Jaferi. Previously, a French court had refused to execute the European Arrest Warrant issued against him, citing the suspension of EU legislation in Northern Cyprus.

At the same time, the French legal system is based on the civil law tradition, so the ruling in the Jafери case is not binding when considering subsequent similar cases.

After the necessary formalities are completed, Zilvichė is expected to be handed over to the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus for trial.