Politis

Dead Zone Breach Near Avlona Reported by Community Leader

Published January 15, 2026, 17:24
Dead Zone Breach Near Avlona Reported by Community Leader

The Community Leader of Avlona, Menelaos Savva, reported a new breach of the dead zone near the village by Turkish farmers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations. According to the report, the farmers are now cultivating permanent crops, such as citrus fruits, instead of seasonal vegetables, which is considered more concerning. The agreement with the UN stipulates that only legitimate owners with the necessary permits are allowed to cultivate in the dead zone, which does not apply to the Turkish farmers as the land belongs to Greek Cypriot residents of Avlona. Mr. Savva expressed his disappointment with the lack of effective response from the UN to his previous complaints. Following his latest update, UNIFICYP members conducted checks in the area, but focused primarily on Greek Cypriots entering the dead zone. Mr. Savva himself was subjected to a check and asked to show his documents. The complaint concerns the area near Avlona, where frequent breaches of the dead zone by Turkish farmers have been observed. The shift from seasonal to permanent crops suggests a more stable and long-term presence in the area, which exacerbates concerns about potential changes to the status quo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN have been informed of the incident, but so far there has been no official reaction. The Community Leader of Avlona expects more decisive action from the UN to protect the rights of Greek Cypriot owners and prevent further violations of the dead zone.