Ibrahim Benter, Director- General of the EVKAF religious foundation’s administration has repeated that all of Maraş/Varosha is the property of the foundation.
Benter made a statement to the AA correspondent about the Famagusta suburb of Maraş/Varosha, which has been closed off since 1974 and is to be reopened for settlement.
Stating that after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, Lala Mustafa Pasha purchased the land in 1571, later donating it to the foundation he established in his name, Benter said that they had found the title deeds of Abdullah Pasha and Bilal Aga foundations in Maraş with their inventory studies.
He said that 4,500 acres of Maraş is the foundation’s property, emphasising as follows:
“We have numerous documents proving that this area belonged to the Evkaf for 300 years. It is evident when examining the title deeds and registers that the land belongs to the Evkaf,”, he said adding that the title deeds had been sold unlawfully, by the British during the island’s colonial rule to Greek Cypriots, who then invested in the area.
“We are prepared to sign rent contracts with Greek Cypriots if a political understanding is reached and they accept that the fenced-off town belongs to the Evkaf”, he added.
Benter added that studies were conducted by the Republic of Turkey General Directorate of Foundations stating that they could not do this research work without the support of Turkey.
Kibris News Agency
