The House plenary on Thursday evening passed a law imposing more severe criminal penalties on persons found guilty in a court of law of the offence of ‘usurping’ Greek Cypriot properties in the north.

The penal code was amended to increase the prison sentence and fine provided for committing the offence of “occupying, cultivating or exploiting in any way land or real estate owned by a third party.”

It aims to thwart the illegal buying and selling of Greek Cypriot properties in the north of the island.

If found guilty by a court, a person will be liable to imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000.

On the House floor, MPs said the aim is to tackle the surge in recent years in the illegal purchase and sale of Greek Cypriot properties located in areas not controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.

The problem was most pronounced in Kyrenia, Trikomo, Famagusta and the occupied part of Nicosia.

Disy MP Rita Superman said that by the end of 2023, 15,000 houses were sold to foreigners in Trikomo, 9,000 in the Akanthou area, 4,000 in the Lapithos-Vasilia area, 2,400 in the center of Kyrenia, 2,000 in Lefka, 1,200 in Bellapais and 600 in Karpasia.