Family of Solomos Solomou, Killed 28 Years Ago, Expresses Ongoing Grief Over Lack of Memorial

PARALIMNI, Cyprus, Skevi Solomou, the sister of Solomos Solomou, who was fatally shot by Turkish forces 28 years ago, continues to grapple with profound sorrow and disappointment stemming from the absence of a memorial for her brother. Solomos was killed on August 14, 1996, while attempting to remove a Turkish flag from an outpost.

“Even after all these years, I still can’t believe he’s gone,” Skevi expressed to local media. “It feels as if it was just yesterday.”

Solomos’s death occurred during a demonstration against the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, and he has become an enduring symbol of resistance for many Greek Cypriots.

While the Solomou family appreciates the efforts of the Isaac-Solomou Memorial Initiative, which holds an annual march in his honor, they voiced their frustration regarding the government’s failure to create a lasting memorial. “It’s unthinkable that after 28 years, there is still no monument in Paralimni for these two heroes,” Skevi Solomou remarked, alluding to Tasos Isaac, who was killed just three days earlier.

Alekos Michailides, a representative of the initiative, emphasized the importance of the 1996 anti-occupation march, which saw motorcyclists from across Europe travel from Berlin to Kyrenia, a city that has been under Turkish control since the 1974 invasion.

The Solomou family plans to meet with local officials next week to explore possible locations for a memorial.