Cyprus authorities have issued international arrest warrants for four Turkish nationals wanted in connection with the illegal development of Greek Cypriot land in the north, the mayor in exile of Lefkoniko village revealed on Tuesday.

Mayor Pieris Gipsiotis told the Cyprus News Agency that he and other members of the Lefkoniko municipality had gathered information and relayed it to authorities.

He spoke of a large-scale development on parcels of land in Lefkoniko consisting of 10 floors and 60 apartments.

“It is the first project built and which advertises that in the coming months it will be delivered, while there are signs speaking of new projects outside Lefkoniko,” said Gipsiotis.

The mayor in exile said he reported the case to Nicosia CID, providing all the details.

According to his research, the involved companies are Turkish. He said he tracked down the names of the company owners.

As a result, authorities issued arrest warrants for four Turkish nationals.

These actions took place about four months ago, the mayor added.

Should the four Turkish nationals travel anywhere inside the EU, they would be arrested and extradited to Cyprus to stand trial.

The mayor said Lefkoniko municipality is reporting such cases to the police “for deterrence purposes.”

He added: “We won’t solve the Cyprus problem on our own, but it does create fear among investors, buyers and brokers.”

Gipsiotis also expressed satisfaction at last week’s court decision that handed down jail sentences to two Hungarian nationals for promoting and advertising the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in Kyrenia.

The two defendants were the first to have admitted guilt in cases related to the usurpation of Greek Cypriot property in the north.