DNA database for Greek soldiers killed during World War II

A DNA database will be established with samples from living relatives of the fallen Greek soldiers in WWII to help authorities identify remains in the ongoing process of exhumations in Albania, announced the Greek National Defence General Staff on Wednesday.

December 20, 2017 an agreement was reached between Greece and Albania for the establishment of a joint committee of experts.

On January 22 authorities began work in the Dragot area (Tepelene) Albania, to locate, exhume and identify the bodies of Greek soldiers killed in World War II during the period 1940-41.

The identification procedure of the remains demands two blood samples from living relatives of the fallen soldiers, particularly one sample from the mother's side and one sample from the father's side.

Samples from living relatives will help identify soldiers discovered during the process and Greeks who have relatives who were killed during that period in Albania can assist the identification process by supplying DNA samples.

More information for those interested are available on: geetha.mil.gr or they can call the responsible department of the General Staff on telephone numbers: 210-6573274 and 210-6575020.