Greens call for tough action against exploitation of properties in north

The Greens on Thursday called on the government to do more to prosecute those dealing in Greek Cypriot properties in the north, releasing a long list of suspects and suspected firms they say should be followed up.

Police have made moves to prosecute four people so far this year, two Israelis and two Germans in relation the sale, development or misuse of Greek Cypriot properties.

“The government must proceed with the full implementation of the policy against usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties,” the Greens said in a statement following a news conference on Thursday.

They said it was understood that the owners of such properties were being encouraged to report cases of usurpation “but it is the state’s responsibility to seek evidence through all available sources” the statement said.

Other than the three arrests of two Israelis and a German national, and an arrest warrant issued for the second German, the Greens said there were numerous other cases that have not been followed up.

“There must be a clear position from the government that trust is not built with tolerance for such a crime,” the statement said, adding that Cyprus’ diplomatic missions abroad must highlight to their host governments, the legal and ethical aspects of buying and selling Greek Cypriot properties in the north “with the aim of discouraging their nationals from getting involved”.

Cypriot authorities said last month they were “getting tough” with the help of Greek Cypriot owners filing complaints after seeing mass development on their plots of land and with the ease of following up advertisements.

The Greens said the usurpation of properties was one of the main elements of the Cyprus problem that cannot be left aside until there is a settlement. The statement wanted to make it clear however that it did not concern the temporary use of Greek Cypriot properties by Turkish Cypriots, only to exploitation of those properties.

In any case, the statement added, Turkish Cypriots were now in a minority and properties were being exploited by Russians, Israelis, Iranians and some Europeans.

“The developments with regard to the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties has reached such an extent that it is likely to decisively prejudice, in a negative and irreversible way, the situation on the ground,” the statement said.

It also rubbished the north’s Immoveable Property Commission (IPC) as a “domestic remedy” of first resort as provided for by the European Court of Human Rights in order to deal with a plethora of Greek Cypriot claims.

The Greens questioned the legitimacy of the IPC as a remedy, saying Greek Cypriot refugees were being extorted and being compensated with negligible amounts that never reflect market value.

“The Republic of Cyprus, strangely enough, did nothing to stop this destructive course nor did it ensure the protection of the legal owners with financial measures so that they do not have to take the last option, that of the ‘committee’,” the statement said.

“In any case, we note with satisfaction that the current government has activated some procedures,” the statement said.

For their part, it added, the Greens have submitted a series of interventions with the National Council with proposals to support the refugees so they are not forced to resort to the IPC.

In an annex to the statement, the Greens named several developers in the north they suspect of dealing in Greek Cypriot properties for the authorities to follow-up on.