Since the Turkish military invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974, the cultural heritage of the northern part of the island country has been largely destroyed by the occupying forces.
Hundreds of religious and cultural heritage monuments have been desecrated, looted or demolished. Many churches have been converted into mosques, stables, dance studios, storehouses, dormitories, hospitals, and hotels, among other things.
One of them has even become a morgue.
Several archaeological sites that were famous and recognised throughout the world were destroyed or plundered. A great number of antiquities were smuggled away and remain unaccounted for to this day. (Source: the Union of Cyprus Municipalities.)
While such crimes were committed against the cultural heritage of Cyprus, Tasoula Hadjitofi, a Greek Cypriot war refugee who had to leave her town of Famagusta during Turkey's invasion and founder of Walk of Truth, took on a courageous mission to find and bring back to its rightful place the priceless artifacts stolen from the occupied area of Cyprus.
Hadjitofi uncovered a shady network looting her country's most sacred relics. BBC interviewed Hadjitofi and her groundbreaking work.
Please listen:
Hunting for icons in the underworld, Part 1
Hunting for icons in the underworld, Part 2
READ MORE: Turkey: How the Greek presence in Cappadocia came to an end.
