Cyprus commemorates 30th anniversary of Isaak and Solomou deaths

On August 8, 2026, Cyprus commemorated the 30th anniversary of the deaths of Tassos Isaak and Solomos Solomou, who were killed during protests in the buffer zone in 1996. The central memorial event took place in Paralimni at the Isaak-Solomou monument on Nikou Psara Street. The ceremony was attended by President Nikos Christodoulides, government officials, and hundreds of citizens. Motorcycle rallies, held under the slogan “guided by memory, with freedom as our compass,” converged in Paralimni from across the government-controlled areas of the island.

President Christodoulides addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the search for justice remains a national priority. He confirmed that the Republic of Cyprus has issued 13 national and 5 international arrest warrants for the perpetrators of the killings and vowed to intensify efforts to execute them. He described the pursuit of accountability not as an act of revenge, but as a fundamental issue of dignity and principle for the nation and the international community.

The commemorations began on August 7 with various symbolic events and concluded on August 9 with a memorial service at the Church of Agios Dimitrios in Paralimni. Throughout the weekend, participants emphasized the ongoing struggle for the return to occupied territories and the importance of preserving the memory of the two men as symbols of resistance.