Cyprus Real Estate Agents Registration Council president Marinos Kineyirou on Thursday raised concerns over illegal real estate activity involving Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish-occupied north.

He stressed that illegal estate agency activities go far beyond criminal offences. “This is not just a penal issue,” he said. “In Cyprus, it appears to be directly connected to the ongoing exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in our occupied territories.”

Kineyirou said that “for nearly 51 years, Greek Cypriot refugees have been deprived of their property rights, bearing the tragic consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation”.

He further stated that “in the absence of the lawful owners, an illegal real estate system has developed, particularly in recent years, capitalising on the unlawful occupation and exploitation of refugee properties”.

“Dozens, if not hundreds, of foreign illegal ‘real estate agents’ are promoting all kinds of properties to their compatriots, while the scale of illegal developments on Greek Cypriot land is considerable,” he added.

Kineyirou revealed that the council has identified “troubling evidence” suggesting links between estate agencies operating legally in the Republic-controlled areas and illegal offices active in the occupied north.

“We have received complaints and are investigating serious indications of connections between real estate offices in the free areas and unlawful offices operating in the occupied areas,” he said.

He referenced a recent case that alarmed authorities. “A case emerged involving a possible connection between a real estate office in free Cyprus and an illegal office bearing the same name in the the north,” he said.

“These kinds of cases are extremely serious and have already been referred to the police for investigation,” Kineyirou mentioned.

He also said that “the council is closely following the investigations and stands ready to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities”.

The emergence of a second similar case has heightened concerns, he continued . “The existence of a second case increases our concerns about a possible network connecting illegal real estate activity in the free areas with that in the occupied territories,” he said.

He warned that such connections represent a direct challenge to the Republic of Cyprus and the rule of law.

“It indirectly undermines efforts to achieve a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem and gravely violates the rights of Greek Cypriot refugees,” Kineyirou stated.

He was categorical that illegal real estate activity in the occupied areas “is not an innocent commercial endeavour”.

“It directly contributes to the entrenchment of illegal occupation and the demographic and property character distortion of the occupied territories,” he added. “As long as there are ‘estate agents’ who illegally traffic in Greek Cypriot properties, the injustice will deepen and the prospect of a fair solution will recede.”

Kineyirou issued an appeal to all stakeholders to “thoroughly investigate every complaint relating to possible links with illegal networks in the occupied north”.

“Strict enforcement of the law and the imposition of severe sanctions on offenders are essential,” he stressed.

Moreover, he urged the police “to accelerate their investigations so that these cases can be resolved swiftly”.

At the same time, he called on his colleagues in the real estate sector to “uphold the highest professional integrity”.

“We expect our fellow estate agents to exercise the utmost professional conscientiousness and to refrain from any transaction that may involve illegal properties in the occupied territories,” he said.

“The honour and credibility of our sector are inextricably linked to respect for legality and citizens’ rights,” Kineyirou added.

He also called on the public to “remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity they may encounter“.

“We cannot simply stand by and observe this phenomenon,” he the council president continued.

“The connection between illegal real estate practices and the usurpation of our properties in the occupied areas is a national wound that demands immediate and collective action.”

“It is our duty to our country and future generations to safeguard their rights and to fight for the restoration of justice,” Kineyirou concluded.