The Hellenic Intelligence Service unveils Cyprus coup and Turkish invasion archives

The Hellenic Intelligence Service (EYP) has released a collection of archival material related to the Cyprus coup and the subsequent Turkish invasion. This collection consists of fifty-eight bulletins covering a two-month period, focusing not on the actions of the EYP itself, but on those of third parties, as documented by the service. With The Hellenic Intelligence Service unveils Cyprus coup and Turkish invasion archives, these documents offer a detailed chronicle of events during a pivotal time in the history of Hellenism and are now accessible to historians and researchers for study, data collection, and analysis.

In his statement, Themistoklis Demiris, Governor of the EYP, emphasised that the passing of fifty years since these events provide an opportunity for a reflective examination within a broader national context, one that goes beyond institutional perspectives. This release marks the first time the EYP has declassified its archives in line with established legislative procedures. The fifty-eight bulletins are now available for public access on the EYP website.

https://www.nis.gr/el/historical-archive/6792

During and after the invasion, many Greek Cypriot civilians and soldiers were captured by Turkish forces, while others were taken to Turkey. Thousands of Turkish Cypriots were also displaced, and the conflict led to a de facto partition of the island into the Republic of Cyprus in the south (controlled by Greek Cypriots) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north (recognised only by Turkey).

Captives Taken to Turkey

Thousands of Greek Cypriot civilians and soldiers were captured and detained by Turkish forces during and after the invasion. The fates of many captives remain unclear, as they were often transported to Turkey or held in Turkish-controlled areas of Cyprus, and many families have never been able to confirm whether their loved ones survived.

Key Facts:

1. Prisoners of War and Civilian Captives:
   • The Turkish military took Greek Cypriot civilians, soldiers, and members of the National Guard as prisoners. While many were held in camps or prisons in Cyprus, others were transferred to Turkey.
   • Around 1,500 Greek Cypriots remain missing to this day, and their fates are still the subject of extensive investigation and international concern.
2. Transport to Turkey:
   • Captives were often shipped to Turkey under harsh conditions. Some were held in makeshift detention camps, while others were transferred to prisons across the border.
   • The journey from Cyprus to Turkey was sometimes difficult and dangerous, with captives subjected to poor treatment, lack of food and medical care, and isolation from their families.
3. International Efforts for Repatriation:
   • The International Red Cross (ICRC) and other humanitarian organisations were involved in facilitating the exchange of captives. Turkey and Cyprus, under international pressure, agreed to a series of prisoner exchanges during the 1970s and early 1980s.
   • Many captives were returned to Cyprus, but others remained unaccounted for, and the Greek Cypriot community has sought the return of their remains or information about their fate through legal and diplomatic means.
4. The Missing Persons Issue:
   • The issue of the missing persons from the 1974 conflict remains unresolved. While the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP), established in 1981, has worked to identify the remains of individuals and determine their fates, the process has been slow. Many families of the missing have waited decades for answers.
   • DNA testing and exhumations have provided some closure, but the full truth about the fate of captives taken to Turkey has not been fully established.
5. Human Rights Violations:
   • Reports of abuses during captivity, including torture, ill-treatment, and deprivation, have emerged over the years. These violations were condemned by international bodies, and calls for accountability have continued in both Turkey and Cyprus.
6. Declassification of Archives:
   • The Hellenic Intelligence Service (EYP) and other government bodies in both Greece and Cyprus have started to declassify information related to the events of 1974, including records on captives, missing persons, and the aftermath of the invasion. For example, recently, the EYP in Greece has released documents related to the coup and the Turkish invasion, which may provide further insight into the experiences of captives and the political context of the time.
7. Legal and Political Action:
   • Various lawsuits have been filed over the years, including cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), accusing Turkey of violating the rights of captives and of being responsible for the deaths and disappearances of thousands of Greek Cypriots.
   • The European Union and other international bodies have continued to pressure Turkey to address the issue of the missing persons and to release more documents related to the fate of the captives.

Contemporary Situation

Today, the issue of the Greek and Cypriot captives from the 1974 invasion remains an unresolved humanitarian and political crisis. Despite ongoing efforts to bring about closure for the families of missing persons, many questions remain unanswered:

• Where are the remains of those who died in captivity?
• What happened to those taken to Turkey?
• Can Turkey provide more transparency regarding the handling of captives?

Sources for Further Research

1. Committee on Missing Persons (CMP): The CMP is the key organisation involved in searching for and identifying the missing persons from the conflict. They conduct excavations and DNA identification to provide answers to families.
2. Human Rights Reports: Organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the ICRC have released reports on the humanitarian impact of the conflict and the treatment of captives.
3. Archives and Government Documents: As more documents are declassified by the Greek and Cypriot governments, it may be possible to uncover more information on the details of the captives’ fates.
4. Eyewitness Testimonies: Personal accounts, many of which are collected in oral history projects, can offer valuable insights into the experiences of those who were taken captive or who survived the invasion.

In summary, while some information about the captives taken to Turkey during the 1974 invasion is available, much remains unknown or unconfirmed. The declassification of documents, ongoing investigations into the missing, and continued efforts by both Greek and Cypriot governments, as well as international organisations, aim to uncover the full truth and bring justice and closure to the families of those who suffered during this tragic period.