The Cyprus Foundations’ Administration (Evkaf) has firmly denied allegations made by the Greek Cypriot press regarding the seizure of lands in the Efendi region of Karpaz.

The Evkaf emphasized that these claims were baseless and reflected a significant lack of understanding of the Evkaf’s historical mission and legal status.

In a written statement issued on Tuesday, the Cyprus Foundations’ Administration urged the public to disregard these unfounded accusations, stressing the importance of accurate information dissemination.

The statement clarified that there are historical documents and records proving that the lands in question are indeed Evkaf properties, designated as such for centuries.

The administration provided detailed historical context, citing the Cyprus Vakfiye Register dated May 16, 1881, which records that the lands were endowed by Kara Mustafa Pasha to the Hala Sultan Tekke, establishing their status as vakıf (charitable foundation) land.

The Efendi region is made up of 12,500 dönüms, of which only 2,000 dönüms are leased to the public for agricultural purposes.

The Evkaf highlighted its long-standing role in managing these properties based on historical and legal foundations.

“The Evkaf is a well-established and respected institution responsible for overseeing Ottoman-era foundation properties in Cyprus. These properties have historically served the benefit of all communities on the island,” the statement read.

It reiterated that the Evkaf’s primary mission is to manage these properties in accordance with their intended purpose and to ensure that their revenues benefit society.

The administration concluded by reaffirming its commitment to transparency and the proper management of vakıf properties, calling on all parties to recognize the historical and legal context underpinning their operations.