Cyprus court jails Hungarians brokering property sales in Turkish-held north

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NICOSIA (Reuters) – A court in Cyprus sentenced two Hungarian nationals to prison on Friday for brokering sales of properties in the Turkish-held north of the island seized from fleeing Greek Cypriots in a 1974 war.

The two women were convicted of advertising and finding buyers for coastal properties without the consent of the registered owners in the territory, which is a Turkish Cypriot state recognised only by Turkey.

Friday’s verdict, likely to draw the ire of Turkish Cypriots, highlights the complexity and sensitivity over territory in Cyprus, where thousands of people lost property and homes from internal displacement and a 1974 Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Those properties have since been re-distributed, and bought and sold many times. The territory has recently seen a surge in high-end investment.

Cyprus’s Criminal Court passed down sentencing of 2.5 years and 15 months jail to the two women, the semi-official Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported. They had pleaded guilty to a number of charges, and prosecutors suspended others.

The court is based in the southern part of Cyprus run by its internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. The women were arrested late last year after arriving in the south.

Greek Cypriot authorities have increasingly pursued legal action against foreign nationals investing in disputed properties in north Cyprus in recent years, and the issue is known to have caused friction in attempts to relaunch peace talks.

Two other cases are pending before the courts.

(Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Sharon Singleton)