Update on CMP excavations and identification of missing persons

Haki Muftuzade, a Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), reported that 26 excavations have been conducted since the beginning of 2026, leading to the discovery of two additional missing persons. Currently, excavation work is ongoing at eight different locations, including Dali, Lapithos, Karavas, Exo Metochi, Galateia, Ampelikou, Petra, and an area in Nicosia. Regarding recent identifications, five out of seven remains found in the garden of the Tekke in Nicosia have been identified, including Hussein Mestan, who was interred on May 6. Muftuzade stated that 127 excavations have taken place in military areas to date, resulting in the recovery of 205 sets of remains. The CMP operates on a 2026 budget of 3.9 million euros, with 2.6 million provided by the EU and additional support from various countries, including Turkey, Germany, Greece, Russia, and the United States. Operations remain fully funded, ensuring continued support for the DNA laboratory and analysis procedures.