eoka fighters — The families of two EOKA fighters, Neoklis Panagiotou and Evripides Nourou, are taking legal action against the Republic of Cyprus, alleging the state’s involvement in their relatives’ murders. This case marks a significant moment in Cyprus’s legal system, as it delves into events that transpired shortly after the establishment of the Republic.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
On 1 June 2023, after a prolonged period of silence from the government regarding their grievances, the families, represented by law firm A & A. Aimiliaidis, K. Katsaros & Associates, filed a lawsuit at the Nicosia District Court. They are seeking moral vindication and compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the loss of their loved ones.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
The tragic murders occurred around 16 August 1961 when Panagiotou and Nourou were attacked while travelling on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway. Their vehicle was found riddled with bullets near Moni Police Station, highlighting the political violence rampant at the time.
The lawsuit underscores the alleged involvement of high-ranking state officials in orchestrating the attacks. Georgios Lagodontis, a senior Police Officer and Cyprus Intelligence Service official, provided chilling details in a letter he sent to EOKA leader Georgios Grivas shortly after the murders. He claimed that the killings were carried out by police officers who received orders from a government minister, based on false information that the fighters intended to assassinate him.
Lagodontis, who believed the murders were an attempt to sow discord within EOKA, indicated that Panagiotou and Nourou had been misled into thinking they were being invited for employment at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation. Instead, they were met with fatal violence.
As the case unfolds, it promises to shed light on a dark chapter in Cypriot history, bringing forth evidence and testimonies from that turbulent era. The implications of the trial are significant, as it could implicate prominent figures in Cyprus’s political landscape.
In the days following their murders, a series of events unfolded that further complicated the investigation. Lagodontis attempted to alert the minister about the situation and urged for the arrest of the perpetrators, but his recommendations were ignored. He later provided a detailed report to then-President Archbishop Makarios III, identifying the police personnel involved and the political motivations behind the killings.
Media coverage of the murders in the early 1960s also pointed to the political nature of the assassinations. Articles from that time described the events as politically motivated attempts to silence the fighters. Despite this, the police and the state have faced allegations of negligence in investigating the murders, with claims that crucial evidence was overlooked or lost.
The families’ pursuit of justice comes after years of frustration and unanswered pleas to the government. After initially reaching out to former President Nicos Anastasiades in October 2022 and receiving no response, they escalated their demands to the current President, Nicos Christodoulides, before resorting to legal action.
