Russia’s embassy in Cyprus said that most of the property in the north “belongs to Greek Cypriots who were forced to leave their homes as a result of the invasion of Turkish troops in 1974”.
A news release, issued in English, said that the ‘TRNC’ is an illegal entity “proclaimed in the occupied part of the independent and internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus,” and condemned by the UN Security Council.
Buying properties belonging to Greek Cypriots “bears substantial risks,” the announcement said.
The embassy said that buying real estate without the legal owner’s assent was criminal collusion and fraud and was punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment.
“In this regard the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation insistently recommends to Russian citizens not to make doubtful real estate bargains in the part of the island not under the control of the legal government of the Republic of Cyprus,” the announcement said.
Source: Cyprus-Mail
Published on April 10, 2012