Reports on Trikomo properties on Greek Cypriot land gather steam

Police on Wednesday could neither confirm or deny reports that a file was being prepared with complaints from Greek Cypriots over Israeli developments on their properties in Trikomo and Ayios Amvrosios in the north.

Earlier reports had surfaced saying that investigations into the sale of property in the two areas was at an advanced stage, but the police could not confirm them to the Cyprus Mail.

According to a report in Philenews, the police have gathered several written complaints from the Greek Cypriot landowners of properties in Trikomo, where well known Israeli businessman and CEO of the Afik Group, Yaacov Afik, operates. He has a company registered in the Republic.

The group has been involved in constructing over 8,000 property units in the north, across Famagusta, Karpasia and Kyrenia.

Another case is also being launched against an Israeli company, who are developing on the sea front in the Ayios Amvrosios area, according to the mukhtar of the village Savvas Xiouris.

After the first complaints, the Greek Cypriot owners were identified through the Land Registry, whose land falls in the areas where Afik built luxury hotels, apartments and houses. The list of owners was given to the police, who are calling them and asking for clarification as to whether they have taken any action to sell or transfer the property they own either to the immovable property commission in the north or directly to businessmen.

Several persons have already come to police HQ and made written complaints, while the same procedure has only recently been initiated for the usurpation of property in Ayios Amvrosios in Kyrenia.

As Xiouris said recently a company of Israeli interests has built a large complex of apartments and houses in the ‘Kokkinochorafa’ area of the village, while earlier there had been a large development in another area east of the village.

Xiouris clarified that there is not even one metre of Turkish Cypriot land in Ayios Amvrosios, therefore all investments are illegal and are made without the permission of the legal owners. As the community leader added, there are signs all over the seaside for the sale of holiday homes by various companies which are also advertised on the internet, which are mainly aimed at British, Israelis and Russians.

He added that according to information given to the community leadership, development on their land had begun in 2004 and has continued for 20 years.

According to the report in Philenews, the investigations and gathering of complaints will end as soon as possible, so that the folder can be transferred to the legal service for further action.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, the legal service could also not confirm or deny the matter of complaints being filed on usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties, saying solely that “official statements cannot be made on the issue”.

The legal service could in essence rule for further arrest warrants to be issued for the businesspeople or other involved in selling the Greek Cypriot properties.

In the north, concerns have peaked over the matter, following the arrest of Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat in Italy on New Year’s Eve.

A warrant had been put out against Kursat by the Republic of Cyprus in 2007. It emerged last week that Cyprus has ten days to submit the relevant documents for Kursat’s extradition back to the island, which are set to expire on Sunday.

He was closely connected with British con man Gary Robb, who had extorted millions of pounds sterling out of Britons trying to buy property in the village of Klepini in Kyrenia from 2004-2005. The properties were never completed.