Newsroom
Two Hungarian nationals were sentenced to prison on Friday for their involvement in advertising and promoting the sale of homes on Greek Cypriot land in the occupied territories.
Defendant 1, a retired beautician, was handed a 2.5-year prison sentence, while Defendant 2, a hairdresser, was given 15 months behind bars. Both individuals had admitted to some of the charges in a case that has sparked attention due to its ties to illegal property sales in the disputed areas of Cyprus.
The two defendants faced a total of 63 charges relating to the illegal promotion of housing for sale in the Kyrenia region, which is located in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island. Defendant 1 admitted to promoting 21 of these charges, while Defendant 2 pleaded guilty to six. The court decided to suspend the prosecution for the remaining charges.
This case marks a significant development, as it is the first time individuals have admitted to charges related to the illegal sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas. The two defendants were involved in advertising and promoting housing developments that were illegally built in the villages of Kalogrea and Trachona – Agios Ambrosios, Kyrenia. These properties were marketed through their personal Facebook pages under the banner of a company called "Cyprus Constructions."
Cypriot authorities have long sought to tackle the illegal sale of properties in the occupied north of Cyprus, which remains a sensitive issue for many Greek Cypriots. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of properties that belong to Greek Cypriot owners who were displaced during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
