Cyprus (North): Trial of conscientious objector Hasan Rahvancıoğlu postponed: He will face three separate cases

The trial of Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Hasan Rahvancıoğlu, who is being prosecuted for refusing to comply with a mobilisation call, was held on November 27 at the military court in Nicosia. The hearing was postponed to January 22, 2026, due to procedural reasons.

In front of the court, many peace activists from both sides of Cyprus gathered in solidarity. Merve Arkun, member of the Executive Committee of War Resisters’ International and vice-chair of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, attended the trial as an international observer. 

After the postponement, Murat Kanatlı, the representative of the Conscientious Objection Initiative in Cyprus, reminded that despite rulings from both the Constitutional Court (of the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus') and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Rahvancıoğlu continues to be prosecuted. Kanatlı emphasised that the Constitutional Court has defined conscientious objection as “a constitutional right,” while the ECtHR has recognised the practice in the northern part of Cyprus as a violation of rights. 
“There is no authority above the European Court of Human Rights to which we can complain about the violation of this right,” said Kanatlı, stressing that despite all these rulings, Rahvancıoğlu is constantly at risk of imprisonment.

Kanatlı also stated that, apart from the case heard on November 27, Rahvancıoğlu faces two additional case files, meaning he will be tried in a total of three separate cases. He made clear their stance in the process with the following words:  “They should not expect us to compromise. If there are offers like ‘spend one day inside, pay a few pennies,’ we will not accept them. Not a minute, not an hour, not a day, nor a single penny…”

War Resisters' International stands in solidarity with Hasan Rahvancıoğlu and all conscientious objectors in Cyprus and elsewhere. Read our joint statement in support of Hasan Rahvancıoğlu here. 

We will continue to monitor Hasan Rahvancıoğlu's case closely.