A major political issue arose in Turkey when it was questioned, according to Turkish reports, that a Greek pilot working for Turkish Airlines has an National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) tattoo.
It is not specified whether the tattoo is of EOKA (1955-59) that fought against British colonialism or of EOKA-B (1971–74) which provoked the coup against President Archbishop Makarios that led to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
According to Law and Order, the vice-president of the main opposition party, Ali Öztunç, asked Transport and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu how many foreigners work for Turkish Airlines and how many of them are Greek nationals.
He also asked for clarifications if a Greek pilot with EOKA tattoos works for the airline.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure did not respond to the question about the Greek pilot with the tattoo.
“According to the records of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, there are 9,003 pilots and 176 helicopter pilots in Turkey, of which 3,419 work for Turkish Airlines,” he said, avoiding to answer whether a Greek pilot with EOKA tattoos works for Turkish airlines.
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