Nicosia: The Greek Cypriot missing persons from the period 1963-64 are estimated to be around 44-45, according to Leonidas Pantelides, the Greek Cypriot representative to the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP). Pantelides shared this information with CNA on Wednesday, emphasizing the committee's commitment to investigating new allegations involving a mass murder of 80 Greek Cypriots from the same era.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Pantelides was addressing statements made by Yusuf Kisa, the owner of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Bakis. Kisa relayed a story told by a deceased individual, born in 1942, who claimed to have witnessed a mass murder where approximately 80 Greek Cypriots were beheaded and their bodies disposed of in a well. The witness, who passed away ten years ago, had requested Kisa to disclose this information only after his death, asserting he was not complicit in the killings.
Pantelides elaborated that of the 44-45 missing Greek Cypriots from the 1963-64 period, 16 have been located in Hamit Madres and identified, while four others have been found in the tekke area of Turkish-occupied Nicosia, with their identification expected shortly. He mentioned that the CMP intends to contact Yusuf Kisa to further investigate the potential location of the purported mass grave in a well. Pantelides also remarked that burial in wells was uncommon during the 1963-64 period.
Cyprus has experienced division since 1974 following the invasion and occupation of 37% of its territory by Turkish forces. The fate of many individuals remains unresolved. The Committee on Missing Persons was established through an agreement between the community leaders to exhume, identify, and return the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots who disappeared during the inter-communal conflicts of 1963-1964 and in 1974.
Statistical data from the CMP website indicates that by August 31, 2025, 1,707 of the 2,002 missing persons had been exhumed, with 1,057 identified. Among the 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 761 have been identified, leaving 749 still unaccounted for. For the 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 296 have been identified, and 196 remain missing.