Environmental groups raise concerns over delays in Pentakomo port appeal

Birdlife Cyprus and Friends of the Earth have criticized the administrative court for a six-month delay in issuing a decision regarding an urgent appeal against the construction of a port in Pentakomo. The environmental groups allege that the project, intended to support the fish farming sector, was granted planning and environmental permits illegally. A first hearing was held in September 2025, during which the court ordered all parties to expedite the case due to the urgency of potential environmental impacts. Despite this directive, construction has continued throughout the legal process. Birdlife Cyprus director Melpo Apostolidou stated that the ongoing work risks causing irreversible damage to the local coastline. The area is identified as a habitat for the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. The NGOs argue that the delay undermines the legal system's ability to protect the environment effectively. They now question whether any meaningful protection can be achieved if the court ruling arrives only after project completion.