Iranian national stripped of residence rights in Cyprus over selling of properties in north Cyprus

An Iranian national who held permanent residence in south Cyprus has been stripped of his residence rights after he was found to have facilitated the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the north.

Reports in newspaper Politis had suggested the man had been granted permanent residence in 2016 after having made investments in south Cyprus.

However, it later turned out that he had been selling land owned by Greek Cypriots in the north to third country nationals with the help of his ex-wife, who works as a real estate agent in and lives full time in the north.

In addition, a possible link between the Iranian man and Turkish Cypriot lawyer Akan Kursat, who was arrested in Italy in connection with the sale of Greek Cypriot land in the north is being investigated by the authorities.