Turkish citizens seek compensation over confiscated properties in Greece

Turkish plaintiffs initiate legal action against Greece for compensation over properties expropriated during the 1940s

An interesting legal case unfolded in Rhodes, with four Turkish individuals filing claims against the Greek government for compensation related to properties from the World War II era.

These claims are set to be heard on Feb. 15, 2024, at the Rhodes Court, and they focus on properties that were confiscated over 80 years ago.

At the core of this dispute are two properties in Niochori. These properties were taken over during the 1940s under the Italian rule of the Dodecanese Islands – a group of islands that included Rhodes until 1948.

The Turkish plaintiffs argue that the Greek state, successor to the Italian rulers, owes them compensation for what they consider unjust expropriations.

This case is part of a larger movement involving over 100 Turkish nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

These organizations have initiated legal proceedings to reclaim properties in the Dodecanese, Western Thrace, and Crete areas that had Turkish residents in the past.

It has also been reported that the involved Turkish groups have expressed intentions to bring this issue to the attention of global organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE and the European Court of Human Rights.

The matter has garnered attention in both Greek and Turkish media. The financial claims vary, with one individual seeking over 2.8 million euros, while others are requesting amounts between 632,905 euros to 949,358 euros.

Source: Dimokratiki