Genetic sampling completed for missing Greek soldiers from 1974 Cyprus conflict

On October 22, 2026, Greek Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanasis Davakis and Cyprus Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis visited Argos Orestiko to collect the final genetic material sample from the family of Colonel Konstantinos Kentras, a soldier who went missing during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

This visit marks the resolution of a decades-long logistical hurdle. For personal reasons, families of 11 missing individuals had previously declined to provide DNA. The collection of these final samples means the genetic database for the 77 Greek soldiers missing since 1974 is now complete. Authorities currently hold between 30 and 35 sets of remains belonging to Greek personnel from the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK) awaiting identification. Of the original 77 missing, 40 have been identified, leaving 37 cases still pending. Both the Greek and Cypriot governments characterize the completion of the genetic bank as a supreme humanitarian priority and a matter of national honor.

Moving forward, the authorities will use the newly collected genetic data to proceed with the forensic identification of the remaining remains. This long-term initiative aims to determine the fate of all missing persons, fulfilling a moral obligation to the affected families.