**State Failed to Investigate Disappearance of Missing Persons, Lawyer Claims**
The Republic of Cyprus has come under scrutiny for its handling of the disappearance of Loizos Hadjigeorgiou and his son Giorgos, who went missing following the Turkish invasion in 1974. The family's lawyer, Antonis Georgiou, expressed concerns on Alpha TV that the state did not conduct a thorough investigation into their abduction, despite having opportunities to question individuals allegedly involved in the case.
Hadjigeorgiou and his son, both unarmed Greek Cypriot civilians from the village of Strongylos in the Famagusta district, were reportedly abducted on August 15, 1974, during the second phase of Operation Atilla. According to evidence presented before the Supreme Court, they were allegedly taken by armed Turkish Cypriot villagers, who were citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court determined that the state failed to fulfill its obligation to investigate the disappearances adequately and awarded the Hadjigeorgiou family €100,000 in compensation. The court found violations of Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which pertain to the right to life and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment. The ruling emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the case necessitated a "targeted, specialised and intensive investigation" into potential criminal responsibility, distinguishing it from other disappearances linked to military operations.
Georgiou criticized the state for not recognizing the criminal nature of the case, despite the political context of the Turkish invasion. He highlighted missed opportunities for investigation, noting that individuals connected to the abduction had entered government-controlled areas after the invasion. For instance, one alleged suspect reportedly traveled to the free areas in the 1980s for medical treatment, while another was seen in Pyla in 1990 selling dairy products. Georgiou lamented that these developments did not prompt any significant investigative actions.
He recounted an incident from 2003 when one alleged suspect was briefly detained following public protests but was subsequently released without the family receiving adequate information about the situation. Attempts to communicate with the attorney general yielded no responses, and in 2016, the family was informed by the missing persons service that no registry or file existed concerning the specific incident, raising further concerns about the state's investigative efforts.
The Supreme Court's ruling also rejected the notion that the state's obligation to investigate depended on the discovery of the men's remains. It clarified that the Commission on Missing Persons (CMP), which focuses on determining whether missing individuals are alive or dead, cannot replace a criminal investigation.
The court acknowledged the prolonged suffering and uncertainty endured by the families of missing persons, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation. Georgiou called for experienced investigators to be appointed to review the evidence and determine what had and had not been examined, stressing the importance of continuing the pursuit of justice. He noted that as of 2003, at least one of the alleged abductors was still alive, raising the possibility that he may still be living today.
While the Supreme Court's decision holds moral significance for the Hadjigeorgiou family, Georgiou expressed that no court could deliver complete justice for their loss. The family is contemplating further legal action, but concerns remain regarding the lack of communication from the state or legal services since the Supreme Court's ruling.
The case of Loizos and Giorgos Hadjigeorgiou highlights ongoing issues related to the investigation of missing persons in Cyprus, particularly those linked to the events of the 1974 invasion. As the families of the missing continue to seek answers, the need for a thorough and transparent investigation remains paramount.