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Two women, aged 61 and 53, are facing serious charges tied to the alleged illegal sale of Greek Cypriot properties worth €58.5 million in the occupied areas of Akanthos, Ayios Ambrosios, and Kalograia. Today, the Nicosia Supreme Court ordered their continued detention until the next hearing, set for February 24.
The women, Hungarian nationals who have been living in Cyprus for 16 and 15 years, respectively, are accused of conspiracy, illegal possession of land, fraudulent real estate dealings, and money laundering. The properties in question are said to have been developed on land owned by Greek Cypriots before 1974, now valued at €58.5 million.
Authorities allege the pair worked with a company, Cyprus Constructions Califorian Trading Ltd, which built nine tourist housing complexes in the occupied territories. The first defendant reportedly admitted to helping the company’s owner, Salih Kayim, promote and sell the properties, claiming she acted as a middleman for clients but hadn’t yet received any commission. She also acknowledged buying one of the properties herself.
The second defendant, who ran social media accounts advertising the developments, claimed she believed the properties were legal due to supposed land swaps between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. She insisted she would not have been involved had she known otherwise.
Earlier this week, the women appealed their detention, arguing they were being treated unfairly because of their foreign backgrounds. However, the Court of Appeal rejected their claims of discrimination, stating that the decision to detain them was based on the seriousness of the charges and a significant risk they might flee the country.
The Suprme Court upheld this decision, noting that the case involved extensive financial and legal wrongdoing that required careful handling.
The case has drawn attention across Cyprus, as property disputes in the occupied areas remain a sensitive issue for many. The properties allegedly developed illegally by the company are a stark reminder of the unresolved issues tied to the island’s division.
The next hearing, scheduled for February, will delve deeper into the evidence, as Cypriots on both sides watch closely to see how justice unfolds in this high-stakes property case.
