Hungarian Women Plead Guilty in TRNC Greek Property Case

A new hearing took place at the Nicosia Criminal Court in the case concerning property transactions involving Greek Cypriot land in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Both defendants—Hungarian nationals—pleaded guilty.

According to Philenews, the women admitted to multiple charges related to the advertising and promotion of homes built without the consent of the rightful owners on land in the occupied villages of Agios Amvrosios, Akanthou (Tatlisu), and Kalograia.

One of the defendants pleaded guilty to 21 charges, while the other admitted to six. As a result, the prosecution requested that several remaining charges be dropped.

Investigators say the women were promoting properties in residential developments constructed by a Turkish Cypriot company on land that had belonged to Greek Cypriots or the Republic of Cyprus before 1974. In return, they received a 20% commission on sales.

The court is currently hearing mitigation arguments from the defense. The final verdict is expected on May 9.

The legal proceedings began in December 2024. One of the accused had already pleaded guilty to 19 of the original 63 charges. This is the first case of its kind to result in guilty pleas.

In recent years, there has been a rise in arrests of individuals owning property in the TRNC, as well as of real estate agents involved in such transactions. TRNC authorities have repeatedly condemned these arrests, calling them unacceptable and raising the issue in talks with UN representatives. TRNC President Ersin Tatar has also criticized the actions of the Republic of Cyprus.