EOKA fighter Giannakis Drousiotis dies at the age of 90

Giannakis Drousiotis, a prominent fighter of the EOKA liberation struggle (1955-1959), passed away on July 31, 2026. Initially appointed by Georgios Grivas Digenis as the central liaison for the organization, Drousiotis later served as the regional commander of Paphos until the end of the conflict. He was instrumental in smuggling weapons from Greece through the port of Limassol with the help of customs officials.

During his command in Paphos, Drousiotis reorganized the resistance, establishing insurgent and sabotage units that carried out numerous operations against British forces. Areas including Chloraka, Kissonerga, and Emba were famously labeled the "triangle of death" by the British due to his tactical successes. On March 14, 1957, the day of Evagoras Pallikarides' execution, Drousiotis was captured by 150 British soldiers and police officers while preparing to relocate to an underground shelter in Chloraka. Following his arrest, he was detained and subjected to torture.

The Democratic Rally (DISY) party issued an official statement expressing deep sorrow and paying tribute to his contributions to the Cypriot struggle, characterizing his service as a vital part of the nation's historical memory. The party extended its condolences to his family, honoring his legacy as a key figure in the fight for independence.