On 12 August 2025, the Larnaca District Court recognised and declared enforceable in the Republic of Cyprus the prison sentence of four years and three months imposed on Kenan Ayaz by the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg on 2 September 2024, in conjunction with the decision of the Federal Court of Justice of Germany dated 3 May 2025.
This decision paves the way for the transfer of Kenan Ayaz to Cyprus to serve the remainder of his sentence, in accordance with EU Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA and the explicit condition set at the time of his extradition from the Republic of Cyprus in 2023.
On the same day, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order sent an urgent letter to the Federal Prosecutor of Germany, requesting the immediate activation of the transfer procedure, as provided for in Article 15 of the Framework Decision. What took the German authorities months to process, the Republic of Cyprus completed within just a few days.The Republic of Cyprus has officially declared its readiness to receive Kenan Ayaz and continue the execution of his sentence within the Central Prisons.
This development represents the fulfilment of a persistent and just demand, in full respect of the rule of law, the rights of political refugees, and the commitments between EU Member States.
The struggle for Kenan’s return is, and remains, a struggle for the defence of democracy, freedom, and solidarity among peoples.
Observatory for the Trial of Kenan Ayaz