Turkish Digest Advertising Rates

Annual Advertising options

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Vassiliou insists property bill will not target Turkish Cypriots

"Vassiliou insists property bill will not target Turkish Cypriots
By George Psyllides

A BILL targeting foreigners buying Greek Cypriot property in the occupied north could sail through parliament in the next couple of weeks after the majority of parties gave it the green light.

It is nothing more than an amendment to current legislation concerning the illegal possession and use of property, but due to the political situation it becomes a very important weapon in the fight against the sale of refugee properties in the north.

The Turkish Cypriot breakaway state has embarked on a frenzy of property sales to eager European opportunists, mostly British, seeking properties at bargain prices.

The amendment would allow district courts to issue European arrest warrants for people holding properties illegally.

Current legislation, in force for the past 40 years, provides for a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a �400 fine for offenders."

More:Vassiliou insists property bill will not target Turkish Cypriots