Killers Identified


[01] Cyprus reveals Turkish killers

[02] So-called minister identified as killer of Greek Cypriot youth


[01] Cyprus reveals Turkish killers

Nicosia, Sep 10 1996 (CNA) -- The Cyprus government revealed today the identities of two of the killers of 26-year-old Greek Cypriot Solomos Solomou, who was murdered by the Turks, on August 14, during a peaceful anti-occupation demonstration, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, in Dherynia.

They are Kenan Akin, from Turkey, the so-called minister of agriculture, forests and energy of the illegal occupation regime, and Erdal Emanet, from Turkey, the commander of the regime's special forces.

Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides said investigations into the identities of the other killers, who were seen live on Cyprus television channels to open fire at Solomou continue.

The Spokesman said the identities of the two killers confirmed that the perpetrators were not Cypriots but from Turkey.

''This confirms our firm position that our conflict is not with the Turkish Cypriots,'' Cassoulides said.

He added ''whatever developments we have... the fervent desire of the Cyprus government and the Cyprus people, as a whole, is to find a peaceful political solution to the Cyprus problem.''

The Cypriot official stressed that the need for a political settlement, reconciliation between the two communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriot) and peace on the island, ''remains the corner stone of our policy''.

Presenting pictures to the journalists showing Akin aiming at Solomou with his pistol from a balcony overlooking the scene where Solomou was murdered, Cassoulides said there is no doubt that Akin was involved in the murder.

Standing on the same balcony were the then Commander of the Turkish occupation forces, Lieutenant General Hassan Kundaci, the Commander of the 28th division of the occupation army, Major General Mehmet Karli, and the Chief of the so-called Turkish Cypriot police Attila Saab.

Cassoulides said Akin was born in Adana, Turkey, on January 20, 1953. In 1974 he took part in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Since then he settled in the Turkish-occupied areas. He became a so-called deputy of the Turkish settlers' ''Rebirth Party''.

In 1991 he was elected general secretary of the party. Later his party was merged with the Democratic Party, which is headed today by Denktash's son Serdar.

A few days after the murder of the Greek Cypriot youth, Akin was appointed so-called minister of agriculture, forests and energy of the Turkish occupation regime, which is recognised only by Turkey.

In 1986, Akin attacked a so-called policeman and in 1987 a Turkish Cypriot lawyer. While in the illegal assembly, he attacked the New Cyprus party leader Alpay Durduran.

TOP

[02] So-called minister identified as killer of Greek Cypriot youth

Nicosia, Sep 10 (CNA) -- One of the killers of Solomos Solomou, who was shot dead in cold blood during a peaceful demonstration in Dherynia buffer zone, last month, has been identified as a member of the illegal cabinet of the Turkish occupation regime.

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) television reported last night that Kenan Akin, so-called agriculture minister of the illegal Turkish occupation regime, has been identified as one of the killers.

Akin is seen in pictures standing on a balcony overlooking the flagpole, on which Solomou had climbed shortly before he was gunned down, holding a pistol with both hands and aiming at the Greek Cypriot youth.

The killer was shown on Turkish television on Sunday outside a hospital in the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta, wearing the same tee shirt as the killer wore the day of the brutal murder of the Greek Cypriot youth.

Yesterday, the Turkish Cypriot newspaper ''Kibris'' printed a picture showing Akin and self-styled Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu, outside the same hospital.

Confirmation of Akin's involvement in the murder has also been given to ''Reuters'' by government sources that did not wish to be named.

''We have such information in our possession'', said the source, and noted the existence of photographic evidence to substantiate the claim.

The government, according to the same source, has had this information for some days now and added that it will be conveyed to the Republic's Attorney General Alecos Markides.

Akin, a Turkish settler, was an officer of the Turkish army during the 1974 invasion of Cyprus and was later employed by the Turkish Intelligence Service (MIT). He has recently became so-called agriculture minister of the secessionist state.

Solomos Solomou, 26, was shot dead on August 14 while he was climbing up a flagpole intending to tear down the Turkish flag.

The incident happened during a peaceful anti-occupation demonstration on the day of the funeral of 24-year-old Tasos Isaac, battered to death three days earlier by Turkish extremists, members of the ultra-nationalist Islamic organisation ''Grey Wolves'', during a demonstration in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Dherynia.

Turkish troops have been occupying 37 per cent of Cyprus territory since 1974, in violation of repeated UN resolutions calling for their withdrawal.

TOP

Isaac's Killers
How You Can Help
Home Page
Index
Introduction
Human Rights
United Nations
Turkish Viloations
WANTED PICTURES REWARD