**Bikers Commemorate Isaac and Solomou with Symbolic Crossing Point Closure**
On Friday, motorcyclists associated with the Isaac-Solomou memorial initiative held a symbolic closure of the Zodia-Astromeritis crossing point for a few minutes, marking the 30th anniversary of the tragic deaths of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou. The event took place in the context of a series of commemorative activities planned for this significant milestone.
The crossing point remained open to traffic during the bikers' demonstration, which began at approximately 3:15 PM. Participants distributed leaflets to commuters, raising awareness about the events surrounding the deaths of Isaac and Solomou. The procession included various stops at crossing points throughout the Nicosia district, with plans to conclude the ride around 8 PM.
The memorial activities will continue over the weekend, with bikers from all districts expected to gather and ride to the Dherynia crossing point on Saturday. The events will culminate on Sunday, when a delegation, along with relatives of Isaac and Solomou, will lay wreaths at the Dherynia crossing. Following this, attendees will participate in a memorial service at Saint Demetrios Church in Paralimni, which will be followed by a blessing at the Paralimni cemetery.
Tasos Isaac was killed on August 11, 1996, during a protest by Greek Cypriot motorcyclists in the buffer zone. The demonstration turned violent when Turkish Cypriot counter-protesters, reportedly joined by members of the Grey Wolves from Turkey, confronted the Greek Cypriots. In the chaos, Isaac became entangled in barbed wire and was subsequently beaten to death.
Three days later, Solomos Solomou was fatally shot while attempting to remove a Turkish flag from a flagpole near a Turkish military post during his participation in a protest following Isaac's funeral. His actions, which involved separating from the main group of demonstrators, led to his tragic death at the hands of a Turkish soldier.
In recent statements, President Nikos Christodoulides acknowledged ongoing developments concerning the cases of Isaac and Solomou, describing the events of August 1996 as "murders and nothing else." He emphasized that the matter remains unresolved and pledged to keep the families informed privately, away from public scrutiny. His comments came during a visit from a group of motorcyclists who had been touring Greece to honor the anniversary of Isaac and Solomou's deaths.
The bikers' journey included stops at locations in Greece that share names with places in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, such as the village of Karavas and the district of Kyrenia. President Christodoulides expressed his intention to join the motorcyclists in Dherynia on August 8 to further commemorate the anniversary.
This year's memorial events not only honor the memories of Tasos Isaac and Solomos Solomou but also serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions and unresolved issues stemming from the division of Cyprus. The participation of the motorcyclists and the planned ceremonies highlight the enduring impact of these historical events on the collective memory of the Cypriot people.