Theo Theodorou

studied in the UK - MBA

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

Anastasios (Tassos) Isaak: Murdered for saying ‘no’ to Turkish occupation

Thirty years ago today, on 11 August 1996, peaceful demonstrator Anastasios (Tassos) Isaak was murdered in full view of the UN and international media by Turkey’s occupation forces, Turkish colonists and other ultra-nationalists in the UN-administered ‘buffer zone’ in the Republic of Cyprus.

On 2 August 1996, a group of more than one hundred Cypriot and other European bikers set off from Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on a rally to draw attention to the illegal Turkish occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. As the motorcyclists proceeded through Europe on their way to Cyprus, they were joined by hundreds of European motorcyclists.

Thousands of members of extremist Turkish organisations were transported to the occupied part of Cyprus by the Turkish government to confront the bikers. They were bussed in from the Turkish-occupied areas to the cease-fire line, which is controlled by Turkish occupation forces.

Tassos Isaak (who was ethnically cleansed along with his family by Turkey in 1974), together with other demonstrators, entered the United Nations-controlled ‘buffer zone’ near Deryneia, just south of the Turkish-occupied town of Famagusta.

The reaction of the Turks was brutal. The Turkish mob attacked the unarmed Cypriot protesters. Tassos Isaak, who became trapped in barbed wire was beaten to death by the Turkish mob. More than 40 other protesters were injured.

The European Court of Human Rights heavily condemned Turkey, ruling that Turkish forces and uniformed ‘police’ actively participated in the the mob that beat Tassos Isaak to death.

Isaak v Turkey (European Court of Human Rights judgment 553):
‘The demonstrators, who were unarmed, entered the buffer zone… a mob gathered, comprised of Turkish-Cypriot and Turkish civilians, many of them carrying hunting rifles and air guns, iron bars, wooden sticks, batons, stones and catapults. There were also many Turkish soldiers and “TRNC” [illegal Turkish-occupied area of Republic of Cyprus] policemen armed with automatic and other military weapons. According to the report by UNFICYP, the Turkish forces allowed about 1,000 persons in buses to pass through their 3km military zone and assemble there. Some of them belonged to the “Grey Wolves” organisation… Shots were fired against the Greek-Cypriot demonstrators, some of whom suffered injuries as a result… the mob in the occupied area entered the buffer zone. They were armed with long sticks, batons and iron bars… a group of the Turkish mob, together with uniformed policemen, managed to isolate several Greek-Cypriot demonstrators whom they started beating… about 15-20 persons, including five uniformed policemen, surrounded Anastasios Isaak, who had been isolated in the buffer zone and was unarmed. Anastasios Isaak was thrown to the ground after having being chased. During a period of approximately five minutes he was kicked and beaten continuously on every part of his body and his head with metal and wooden batons… UNFICYP police officer Frank Flood tried to intervene… Anastasios Isaak was already unconscious with blood coming out of his mouth and nose. Officer Flood was also attacked… one of the attackers threw a large stone at Anastasios Isaak's head. This struck Anastasios Isaak on the right hand side of his head…’

Despite identification, the murderers of Tassos Isaak and Solomos Solomou (murdered 14 August 1996 by Turkey and its subordinate regime in the occupied areas) remain at large.

#TassosIsaak #TassosIsaac #ΤάσοςΙσαάκ #Cyprus

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

52 years of injustice. 🇨🇾
On 15 July 1974, a short-lived treacherous coup d'état, sponsored by the ruling military junta in Athens, attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Republic of Cyprus. President Makarios was falsely rumoured to have been killed.

Five days later, on 20 July 1974, Turkey used the coup as a pretext to implement a pre-existing strategy to illegally invade, occupy and ethnically cleanse territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

On 14 August 1974, three full weeks after the downfall of the coupist regimes in Athens and Nicosia, Turkey launched a second brutal illegal invasion, extending the area of illegal Turkish occupation.

The human cost and ongoing injustice:
• Forced displacement: Approximately 170,000 Greek/Christian Cypriot citizens were forcibly displaced by Turkish forces.
• Illegal occupation: To this day, 36 per cent of the territory and 57 per cent of the coastline of the Republic of Cyprus remain under illegal Turkish military occupation.

We do not forget. We demand justice.

#FreedomforCyprus #TurkishTroopsOut #Cyprus #Δενξεχνώ

@UNHumanRights @UN @UN_CYPRUS @EU_Commission @Europarl_EN @europarl @CyprusMFA @CyprusPIO @Christodulides

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

On the 62nd anniversary of #CyprusIndependenceDay we pledge to continue campaigning for a unitary Republic of Cyprus and to resist #Turkey’s authoritarianism, aggressiveness and lawlessness that endangers #Cyprus, the EU and wider western world #Cyprus62

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

Merry #Xmas from the team at Lobby for #Cyprus. Best wishes to all for happiness, health, peace and prosperity this #Christmas and in the coming new year. Καλά Χριστούγεννα σε όλους! #MerryChristmas

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

#HappyNewYear from the team at Lobby for #Cyprus. Wishing health, happiness and prosperity to all. #ΚαλήΧρονιά με υγεία και ευτυχία #2023NewYear

[Public Investment Fund @PIF_en]

#NewMurabba will add 19 square kilometers to Riyadh’s downtown area. Designed around people, it will provide new homes for hundreds of thousands of residents, closer to nature, work and play.

https://t.co/5R4DqQdPyS

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

Lobby for Cyprus offers its deepest condolences to the many grieving families who lost loved ones in the tragic railway collision in #Tempi, Greece. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this terrible tragedy. We pray for the recovery of the survivors. #Τεμπη

[Cyprus MFA @CyprusMFA]

Τιμούμε σήμερα την εθνική επέτειο της 25ης Μαρτίου 1821. Οι αξίες, τα ιδανικά και ο ηρωισμός των Ελλήνων μαχόμενων για την ελευθερία παραμένουν παντοτινά επίκαιρα. Χρόνια Πολλά Ελλάδα! 🇨🇾🇬🇷

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

2 Μαρτίου 2023: Το Lobby for #Cyprus συγχαίρει τον Νίκο Χριστοδουλίδη για την ορκωμοσία του ως τον 8ο Προέδρου της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας. https://t.co/VhOX1b8jWf

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[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

2 March 2023: Lobby for Cyprus congratulates Nikos Christodoulides on his inauguration as the 8th President of the Republic of #Cyprus. https://t.co/0oDbk0H7CH

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

We honour the heroes who liberated #Greece from tyrannical occupation by the Ottoman Turkish Caliphate & Empire; & pay tribute to Hellenes of #Cyprus who contributed to the Greek Revolution. Freedom came to Greece. Cyprus awaits liberty & justice #25ηΜαρτίου #GreekIndependenceDay

[Theo Theodorou @theodorou2]

Your message was spot on.

[John Christodoulou 🇨🇾 @YianisCY]

My Greek Clearly needs improvement 😑but I’m getting there Σιγά-σιγά
I need to communicate more in my native language.

[Providence Magazine @ProvMagazine]

The arrest and imprisonment of 16 journalists on "terrorist propaganda” charges is an example of routine injustice in a country where there is no free speech or veritable constitutional law. - via @bulutuzay_ https://t.co/ti2nAUvuQy

[Odysseas N. Odysseos @OOdysseos]

Humbled & honoured to be received today by His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain. As the spiritual leader of our 300K strong proud & vibrant UK Cypriot community, we discussed ways of joining efforts & coordinated actions for its support. #UKCypriots

[Cyprus MFA @CyprusMFA]

1️⃣4️⃣ August 1️⃣9️⃣7️⃣4️⃣ | #OTD #Turkey launched the 2nd wave of its Invasion against #Cyprus 🇨🇾 & its people | By 16 August, the Turkish occupation had been extended to 36% of the island | #Sovereignty, #Independence & Territorial Integrity are still violated in Cyprus for 48 Years

[Providence Magazine @ProvMagazine]

Remember the Greek Cypriots Who Were Murdered for Protesting the Turkish Occupation - via @bulutuzay_ https://t.co/xK1PrGMVmt

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

48 years on since the second invasion of #Cyprus by #Turkey of 14 Aug 1974: it is time for the double standards displayed by Permanent Members of the UN Security Council to come to an end. Open letter to #UNSC & @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres https://t.co/PWh3sOikAm

[Lobby for Cyprus @LobbyforCyprus]

#OTD 14Aug1996. #SolomosSolomou murdered by #Turkey & its illegal occupation regime in #Cyprus. ‘Agriculture Minister’ (Turkish #colonist) & Turkish Chief of ‘Special Forces’ filmed shooting Solomos. 11 civilians & 2 #UNFICYP personnel injured by Turks’ gunfire. Graphic content.

[Theo Theodorou @theodorou2]

@eevriviades @CyprusInUK @TheodorosGotsis @OOdysseos @CyprusMFA @UKCypriotFed @NEPOMAK @UKCYEC @CFCyprus @LobbyforCyprus @FCDOGovUK @LondnDIPLOMAT @EmbassyMagazine @UKinCyprus Theodoros, from all at Lobby for Cyprus we wish you every success at your next posting in Cyprus. You have been so committed to the diaspora always at the end of the phone willing to help us. We shall miss you.
Looking forward to meet Οδυσσέας very soon.
Safe trip.