The Cyprus Vakıfar (Evkaf) Administration on Sunday expressed its criticisms of a story published in the Greek Cypriot press concerning historical and religious properties “discovered” in Paphos.

According to the story published by Phileleftheros, the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service in South Cyprus had identified 51 Turkish Cypriot cemeteries in the Paphos district; in addition, 34 mosques were found, and 5 mosques were classified as ancient monuments.

The Cyprus Vakıflar Administration in a statement issued on Sunday, said such a disclosure came as “shocking and interesting.”

Stating that it was not possible for 34 mosques to have not been seen or known in the records until today, the Evkaf said, “Such a disclosure does not carry any meaning beyond the thoughtless exposure of a historical truth that has been covered up until today.

It added that it would have been more accurate if the Greek Cypriot authorities had identified one by one the foundation owned properties lost during the historical process, to clearly demonstrate who and how these properties had been destroyed or demolished and to raise awareness in the world public opinion.”

“Our ancestral properties, which are proven by registered deeds with clearly identified additional buildings, unfortunately cannot be expressed today with their true figures. Only a handful of the hundreds of lost and excluded foundation properties are mentioned, but they cannot be regained; thus, it is clearly evident that the realization of the charitable services that our ancestors wanted to be carried out for humanity through their foundations cannot be achieved. The loss of Evkaf properties through illegal practices should be considered as an unjust and damaging act against the national existence, financial and spiritual rights of the Turkish Cypriot Community,” the statement read.