Martyr Reşat Ahmet laid to rest after 62 years

Turkish Cypriot martyr Reşat Ahmet, who went missing in 1964 and was later identified through excavations carried out by the Missing Persons Committee in Trulli (Larnaca), was laid to rest with a military funeral at the Ortaköy Martyrs’ Cemetery in Lefkoşa.

The ceremony was attended by President Tufan Erhürman, Security Forces Commander Major General İlker Görgülü, senior military officials, Police Chief Ali Adalıer, Turkish Cypriot member of the Missing Persons Committee Hakkı Müftüzade, and Ahmet’s family

Speaking on behalf of the family, Ünsal Özbilenler said that the 62-year wait had been very difficult, but described the occasion as both meaningful and emotional. He explained that Ahmet, who worked as a taxi driver, had been detained by Greek Cypriot police in May 1964 while transporting two villagers, and was subsequently killed and disappeared. Özbilenler emphasized that the killing of civilians outside of wartime conditions constitutes a crime and urged that this issue be addressed in future negotiations.