Larnaca property owners face alleged intimidation and pressure

AKEL lawmaker Aristos Damianou has raised serious allegations before the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs regarding the methods used to acquire real estate in Cyprus. Damianou reported that individuals, described as “tough guys” or “brutes,” have been approaching property owners in Larnaca—specifically in the area behind the old GSZ—to pressure them into selling their land or homes.

According to the allegations, these tactics include a combination of intimidation, threats, and aggressive behavior, alongside financial offers. In some instances, Damianou claimed that families facing financial difficulties are targeted with offers significantly exceeding market value, which he characterized as a form of “moral blackmail.”

The lawmaker also raised concerns regarding transparency in property transfers, suggesting the existence of “hidden contracts” that obscure the true identity of buyers. He noted that in coastal cities, a high percentage of transactions involve foreign interests, claiming that approximately one in two sales nationwide involves foreign buyers. While these allegations highlight significant concerns regarding the regulation of the real estate market, they have not yet been independently verified by police reports.