A court in Cyprus sentenced two Hungarians to a prison sentence for media outlets in the occupied north of the island, which were seized by Greek Cypriots who abandoned their property during the 1974 war, according to Reuters.

The two women were convicted of advertising and finding buyers for seaside real estate without the consent of registered owners in the territory controlled by Turkish Cypriots – a state recognized only by Turkey.

Friday’s decision, which is likely to spark reactions from the Turkish Cypriot side, highlights the complexity and sensitivity of the issue of ownership in Cyprus, where thousands of people lost their homes and property due to the internal displacement and Turkish invasion of 1974.

These properties have since been renovated and sold repeatedly. The area is recently flourished in high -value investments.

The Criminal Court of Cyprus imposed a 2.5 -year -old and 15 -month prison sentence on the two women, according to the Cyprus News Agency (KIPE). They had been guilty of several categories, while others were withdrawn from the accused authority.

The court is based in the southern part of Cyprus, which is governed by the internationally recognized Cypriot Republic. The women were arrested at the end of last year after arriving in the south.

Greek Cypriot authorities have been stepping up in recent years the legal actions against foreign nationals who invest in disputed real estate in the occupied territories, which has caused tensions in the efforts to resume peace talks.

Two more cases are before the Cypriot courts.