Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On 11 August 1996, a Berlin-to-Cyprus peace ride by motorcyclists from around Europe ended at the Greek Cyp-
riot village of Deryneia. The village adjoins the Green Line that divides Northern Cyprus from the Republic of
Cyprus. Among the riders that day was a young Greek Cypriot from Protaras by the name of Tasos Isaak.
During the riders' protest at the border, to show their ongoing frustration at the continuing occupation of the
North by Turkish forces, a melee ensued. Clashes between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots broke out in the
UN buffer zone that separates the two communities.
In the chaos, Tasos Isaak was cut off from his fellow demonstrators, and surrounded by Turks. Despite the fact
that he was unarmed, he was set upon and beaten to death. Isaak's body was later recovered by UN personnel.
Three days later, after Isaak's funeral, a crowd once more gathered at the Deryneia checkpoint, to protest
against the death. Among the protesters this time was Solomos Solomou, a 26-year-old who was enraged at the
death of his friend, Isaak. Despite repeated attempts to hold him back, Solomos eluded the UN peacekeepers and
slipped across no-man's land to one of the flagpoles carrying the Turkish Cypriot flag. Cigarette in mouth, he
managed to climb halfway up the flagpole, before being struck by five bullets. The shots came from the nearby
Turkish Cypriot guard post, and quite possibly from bushes sheltering armed soldiers. Solomos' death was cap-
tured on video, and is replayed at the viewing points that overlook the tragic site of the Deryneia deaths.
Cyprus: A Modern History
by William Mallinson explores Cypriot history with a focus on the post-1974 period.
It examines the great importance of EU membership for both Cyprus and Turkey.
