Allegations that Larnaca residents are being pressured by men described as “enforcers” to leave their homes were raised before Parliament’s House Interior Committee during a discussion on property purchases by foreign interests in Cyprus.
Committee chairman and AKEL MP Aristos Damianou alleged that intimidating men had been visiting homes belonging to Cypriots in the area behind the former GSZ stadium in Larnaca, using pressure and improper practices in an attempt to force residents to leave.
The allegations were made in the presence of a representative of the Ministry of Interior, who did not respond during the committee session.
Concerns over hidden property contracts
The committee also heard allegations concerning the existence of “hidden contracts” at the Department of Lands and Surveys, raising questions about transparency in property transactions and the identities of the actual owners.
Damianou questioned how Cypriot land could be sold without the identities of those acquiring it being known.
The claims that Larnaca residents are being pressured to leave their properties formed part of a wider discussion about gaps in the legislation governing property acquisitions by foreign interests.
The need for tighter regulation has also been raised at previous meetings of the House Interior Committee.
Legislation targeted for approval by year-end
Speaking after the committee meeting, Damianou said discussions on regulating property acquisitions by foreign interests had resumed, with the aim of passing legislation before the end of 2026.
He explained that AKEL had been pursuing proposals for some time to establish criteria and restrictions on the purchase of Cypriot land, while other political parties had introduced similar initiatives.
“There were also initiatives by other political forces and colleagues, which we welcomed, and last April we reached some consolidated texts,” he said.
Damianou noted that the legislative process had been interrupted by elections but had now resumed at an intensive pace, with the objective of passing legislation by the end of the year.
Cyprus’s territorial circumstances cited
The AKEL MP argued that the issue was particularly significant because of the Republic of Cyprus’s territorial circumstances.
He pointed out that part of the island remains under Turkish occupation, while the British Sovereign Base Areas operate under arrangements established by the 1960 treaties.
“There is clearly a problem in Cyprus, a problem arising from the realities of our country,” he said.
Damianou expressed concern about property acquisitions by foreign interests through contracts of sale, purchase agreements and assignment agreements, many of which, he claimed, are not publicly disclosed.
According to the MP, acquisitions are made by individuals but, more significantly, by companies linked to third countries, including through corporate structures established within the European Union.
Proposed restrictions to cover companies and funds
Damianou stressed that any new legislation should not be limited to individual property buyers but should also cover companies, investment funds and other arrangements used to acquire real estate.
He warned that restricting only purchases by individuals would leave significant gaps in the regulatory framework.
“Our position is categorical: if the issues concerning individuals, companies, funds and all those who purchase property in Cyprus through concealed arrangements are not regulated, then regulating individuals alone will be inadequate,” he said.
He also referred to previous government announcements concerning plans to introduce legislation on the issue.
According to Damianou, subsequent cooperation based on AKEL’s legislative proposals had identified areas of agreement between Parliament and the executive, although several outstanding issues remain unresolved.
Government given time to submit proposals
Damianou said the government had been given an opportunity to return with its own proposals.
“Our proposals are there. They have been submitted,” he said.
He confirmed that the clause-by-clause examination of the proposed legislation would continue in 15 days.
If the government submits its own bill, it will proceed through the established parliamentary process.
Concluding his remarks, Damianou emphasised the urgency of legislative intervention, warning that there was no longer room for further delays.
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