Greek Cypriot police have issued international arrest warrants for four Turkish nationals accused of illegally developing Greek Cypriot-owned land in Geçitkale (Lefkoniko), it was announced on Monday.
Pieris Gypsiotis, the self-styled mayor of Lefkoniko, reported that he and the municipality compiled evidence of a large-scale construction project on multiple plots in the area. The project, featuring a 10-story building with 750 apartments, is being marketed for imminent completion, with plans for further developments beyond the region.
Gypsiotis submitted documentation, including the names of the Turkish company owners involved, to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Nicosia. Based on this evidence, four international arrest warrants were issued four months ago targeting the Turkish businessmen.
The issue’s severity prompted a symposium last Saturday, attended by the Greek Cypriot negotiator and legal experts, to address broader land usurpation claims in the North.
In a related case, two Hungarian women were sentenced on Friday to 2.5 years and 15 months in prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to charges of advertising and promoting homes built on Greek Cypriot land in the North. Gypsiotis praised the ruling, noting its significance.
He further warned that the Turkish nationals risk immediate arrest and extradition to Cyprus if they travel within the EU, as the warrants, issued by Republic of Cyprus courts, hold international legal weight in the European Union.
“We won’t resolve the Cyprus issue alone, but these cases create fear among investors, buyers, and intermediaries,” Gypsiotis stated.
(Source: CNA)
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
