After the Turkish Cypriot side has refused to restart negotiations unless the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots is recognised, tensions have escalated due to a series of provocative actions, Yeniduzen reports.
One recent incident involves the mayor of Paralimni-Derinya in southern Cyprus, Yiorgos Nikolettos, and the deputy mayor, Nikos Lillis. Both officials were blacklisted by authorities in North Cyprus after crossing the border to visit a group of displaced people from Derinya, who had been forced to leave their homes after the war in 1974. Following their visit, Nikolettos and Lillis attempted to re-enter the north on August 31st, but were denied entry. Lillis was reportedly arrested and later released, although the police in the north did not confirm his arrest.
