Nicosia: The Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC) has announced its intention to forward a statement from the Keravnos sports club to the European Olympic Committees (EOC), aiming to coordinate joint actions that may escalate to the International Olympic Committee. This measure is part of the COC’s efforts to show full solidarity with the Keravnos Strovolou Gymnastics Club in response to the detention of four of the club’s members by the occupying regime.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the detained individuals include Keravnos Vice-President Andreas Kyprianou, the stadium director Akis Gregoriou, and their wives, Anni Kyprianou and Niki Gregoriou. In total, five Greek Cypriots, all over the age of 60, were arrested on July 19 near Turkish-occupied Trikomo and remain in detention.
In its statement, the COC expressed its shared concern with Keravnos, emphasizing the importance of Olympic values such as respect and solidarity. The Committee condemned the detention as being beyond any logical, human, or legal framework and stressed the obligation to act against violations of Olympism’s fundamental principles. As a result, the COC plans to send Keravnos’ statement to the Hellenic and European Olympic Committees to coordinate efforts that may involve the International Olympic Committee.
Moreover, the COC is amplifying the club’s call for the Cypriot government and diplomatic bodies to intensify their efforts for the immediate release of the detainees and an end to their “inhumane treatment.” Keravnos Strovolou has also condemned the illegal detention, which has lasted for over a month, urging the state and international entities like the UN and the EU to exert pressure on Turkey. The club has called on the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holguin, who is scheduled to visit Cyprus on September 1, to prioritize this issue during her visit.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive, with the latest negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ending without agreement.