Veteran AKEL party member Andreas Kyritsis dies at 101

Andreas Kyritsis, a veteran member of the AKEL party and a prominent figure in the Cypriot popular movement, passed away on October 7, 2026, at the age of 101. Known for his multifaceted life, Kyritsis was a committed anti-fascist, a volunteer soldier during World War II, a poet, a writer, and a sports organizer.

Born into a modest family, Kyritsis became involved with AKEL early in his life and played a pivotal role in establishing the first local party organization and a cultural club in Athienou. Following the party's historic resolution on June 16, 1943, calling for mobilization against Hitlerism, he volunteered to serve in the British military contingent. Upon his return to Cyprus, he remained an active participant in social and political struggles, including movements for demobilization and the broader causes of the Cypriot people.

The Larnaca branch of AKEL issued a statement expressing profound grief and honoring his legacy as a dedicated partisan and a consistent fighter against colonialism and fascism. His life is recognized as a significant chapter in the history of the party and the local community of Athienou.