Nicosia: The identification of remains of missing persons that had been impregnated with chemical solutions between 1979 and 1981 and transferred to cemeteries in Nicosia without being received by their families has been achieved for the first time, MPs were informed on Tuesday. Only 45 families received the wrong remains at that time.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the identification concerns a Greek national, and his family has already been informed by the Head of Humanitarian Affairs for Missing Persons and the Enclaved of the Republic of Cyprus, Anna Aristotelous. All the remains impregnated with chemicals concern complete skeletal remains. Aristotelous briefed the House Committee on Refugees about the latest developments on this matter.
Speaking before the Committee and in subsequent statements, Aristotelous highlighted that the identification of remains affected by chemicals was ‘a very important development’ and was achieved in collaboration with the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, after securing special equipment. The identification accuracy was at a rate of 99.99%, which far exceeds international standards. Aristotelous also mentioned that two of the eight Greek families agreed to allow experts to take samples from the remains of their loved ones.
These efforts target the cases of missing persons whose remains were mistakenly handed over to 45 families between 1979 and 1981. Recently, the identification of the remains of nine Greek missing and fallen persons was carried out, as well as additional identification in eight cases. Aristotelous provided that, in the last two years, 15 people have been identified through the Republic of Cyprus programme: 11 missing and 4 fallen, with 14 of these cases concerning Greek missing persons who fell in the Greek Force of Cyprus’ (ELDYK) military camp.
Based on the data, of the 77 Greek missing persons, 39 have been identified and 38 are being sought. The Greek fallen persons amount to 95, with 47 located and 48 being sought. Aristotelous stated that the identification of chemically affected remains can yield a result of 60%, but in combination with research, more secure conclusions can be reached regarding the identity of the deceased.
Leonidas Pantelides, the Greek Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons, informed MPs about delays in excavations for locating remains of missing persons in military areas where special permission is required, and excavations are limited to a radius of 25 meters. Andreas Christou, responsible for the excavations, mentioned that nine crews are currently working in the Turkish occupied and free areas. He referred to the commitment of two leaders to increase crews to ten.
Christou also stated that work is underway in the buffer zone in Turkish occupied Nicosia related to missing military officer Tassos Markou, although no evidence has been found so far. In the village of Petra, efforts continue for one missing person with hopes of findings this year, based on new information from a witness. In Kioneli, remains of Greek nationals were located, and in Katokopia, information suggests up to five people are in a residential area.
In Agia Irini, Morphou, searches for remains of Turkish Cypriots continue, alongside excavations in Sysklipos where up to 14 people are sought. Christou said that 29 attempts have been made in this area, with the CMP receiving good information from a Turkish military officer with whom they maintain constant contact.
Excavations in the free areas include a well in Nisou, believed to contain one or more Turkish Cypriots, and another well in Kamares, Larnaca, both concerning Turkish Cypriots who went missing in 1963-64. A representative of the Foreign Ministry highlighted that a discussion in Strasbourg last March examined Turkey’s obligations, with 32 member states stressing the humanitarian aspect and the need for Turkey’s cooperation.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following the invasion and occupation of 37% of its territory by Turkish troops. The fate of hundreds remains unknown. A Committee on Missing Persons is tasked with exhuming, identifying, and returning remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots who went missing during the inter-communal conflicts of 1963-1964 and 1974.
According to statistical data published on the CMP website by April 30, 2025, out of 2002 missing persons, 1,704 were exhumed and 1,054 were identified. Of the 1,510 Greek Cypriot missing persons, 758 were identified and 752 remain missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons, 296 were identified, with 196 still missing.