Cyprus-Forum.com

[denizaksulu]

Family of four killed in invasion laid to rest
By Alexia Saoulli

A FAMILY of four Greek Cypriots was finally laid to rest yesterday after they were killed by Turkish troops in occupied Lapithos during the 1974 invasion.

The funeral of Melis and Maria Metsiou, aged 43, and their children Kypros, 12, and Panayiota, 10, was held at the Church of St George in Nicosia’s Ayios Dhometios at 4pm and officiated by Bishop Neophytos of Morphou.

The family’s remains had been found in a mass grave and identified through DNA analysis.

The funeral was attended by Justice Minister Loucas Louca and Lapithos mayor Athos Eleftheriou gave the eulogy.

During his speech, Eleftheriou referred to the children’s mobility problems and how they had ordinarily lived in a special Red Cross home in Kyrenia.

“They stayed with their parents every August during the summer holidays,” he added.

Why the couple failed to leave their home after it was taken over by Turkish troops on August 6, 1974, Eleftheriou could not say.

“Some information has Melis going to Morphou to look for a way to escape but he didn’t make it,” he said. “He didn’t have a car. With two sick children he didn’t have many options.

“Unfortunately those instructed to help with the evacuation of the unarmed in Lapithos left first, indifferent to the rest. Here is the extent of the betrayal,” the mayor said.

Eleftheriou said the small family was killed in their home when they were found by the Turkish troops and buried in their garden under “their favourite lemon tree”.

Wreaths were sent to the funeral on behalf of the government, the Bishop of Morphou, the House President, AKEL’s Central Committee and general-secretary, DISY, DIKO, EDEK, the Greens, DEA, the Missing Persons Service, the Mayors of Karava and Ayios Dhometios, the National Guard Commander and others.

The remains were buried at the Ayios Dhometios cemetery.



Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

[DT.]

RIP

Not sure what to say.

[Tim Drayton]

May they rest in peace.

[denizaksulu]

I dont know. They were not supposed to be there either. It was a summer break. Damn those responsible and damn those who will cause more innocents to perish.

[Oracle]

Bless them all -- for everlasting peace.

Turks use their past atrocities to continue to threaten us about what they are inhumanely capable of doing.

Thanks for reminding/warning us Deniz. We shall remember this as we dare to drill for oil against Turkey's wishes.

Bless them all ...

[denizaksulu]

Bless them all -- for everlasting peace.

Turks use their past atrocities to continue to threaten us about what they are inhumanely capable of doing.

Thanks for reminding/warning us Deniz. We shall remember this as we dare to drill for oil against Turkey's wishes.

Bless them all ...

Bless them all and RoC can have the oil that belongs to them. However, whats that got to do with the thread.

[EPSILON]

RIP

Not sure what to say.

The killers will be there to make alcotest to you as policemen after the solution.