Mayor of Pano Lefkara denounces alleged bribery, misuse of Turkish Cypriot properties in village

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - The mayor of Pano Lefkara on the island of Cyprus has denounced alleged bribery and misuse involving Turkish Cypriot properties in the village, calling on authorities to take immediate action to address the issue, local media reported Thursday.

Speaking to the ASTRA radio program Radio Compass, Sophocles Sophocleous expressed surprise at the reaction of the Greek Cypriot administration's Interior Ministry and the competent services responsible for managing Turkish Cypriot properties.

He urged the ministry to assume full responsibility, repair dilapidated and unsafe houses and conduct a thorough review of property ownership.

The mayor said that some citizens occupy two or three Turkish Cypriot houses that remain locked while "poor couples are in immediate need of housing."

Sophocleous also claimed that cases of bribery and exchange of Turkish Cypriot properties had taken place, saying he possesses names linked to the allegations and invited the police to his office to hand over the information.

Separately, speaking on Politis Radio, Sophocleous intensified his criticism of the Interior Ministry, accusing it of "lies," "absurdities" and a "cover-up" in connection with the management of Turkish Cypriot properties.

Sophocleous also warned that if the authorities fail to act immediately, he intends to pursue legal action against the interior minister for "acts, omissions and opacity" in handling the matter.

He added that he will also take legal measures against the Kornos mills, where, he claimed, looting of Turkish Cypriot property has occurred.

Responding to the accusations, the Director of the Turkish Cypriot Property Service, Anthi Lakkotrypi, rejected the mayor's claims of looting and corruption, saying that the ministry maintains "zero tolerance for any type of illegality" regarding the management of Turkish Cypriot properties.