Nicosia: The self-sacrifice, bravery, and altruism of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou remain a timeless beacon guiding the struggle to end the Turkish occupation, reunify the homeland, and restore fundamental freedoms and rights for all Cypriots, the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus stated in a post on “X” (formerly Twitter). The Presidency emphasized the historical significance of these events, marking 29 years since the brutal murders of Isaac and Solomou in August 1996.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Presidency’s message recalls the dramatic moments when Tassos Isaac, a 24-year-old, was beaten to death during a protest in the UN buffer zone by Turkish Cypriots and members of the ‘Grey Wolves’. The incident occurred during a major anti-occupation rally in Deryneia, which was part of a protest by Cypriot and Greek motorcyclists. The failure of UN peacekeepers to halt the attack has been a point of contention.
Three days after Isaac’s death, his cousin Solomos Solomou was shot dead by Turkish soldiers as he attempted to lower a Turkish flag, an incident that was broadcast worldwide. The Cyprus government issued international arrest warrants for the suspects, including officials from the occupation regime and members of the Grey Wolves. The gunman who killed Solomou was identified as Kenan Akin, a former Turkish army officer and intelligence agent.
In 2008, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkey was guilty of violating the right to life, determining that both men were unarmed and that lethal force was unjustified. Despite the ruling, which ordered Turkey to pay damages, no actions have been taken to investigate or prosecute those responsible.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. Efforts to resolve the conflict through UN-led peace talks have repeatedly failed, attributed primarily to Turkish intransigence.