10.04.2026 18:24
The remains of Reşat Ahmet, a Turkish Cypriot who was kidnapped by Greek police while working as a taxi driver in Larnaca in 1964 and was never heard from again, were found 62 years later and buried with a military ceremony held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The remains of Turkish Cypriot Reşat Ahmet, who was kidnapped by Greek police while working as a taxi driver in Larnaca in 1964 and was never heard from again, were found 62 years later and buried with a military ceremony in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
EMOTIONAL CEREMONY AT ORTAKÖY MARTYRS' CEMETERY
A military ceremony was held at the Ortaköy Martyrs' Cemetery in Nicosia for the burial of Reşat Ahmet. The ceremony was attended by TRNC President Tufan Erhürman, Commander of the Security Forces Major General İlker Görgülü, Police Chief Ali Adalıer, Turkish Cypriot Member of the Missing Persons Committee Hakkı Müftüzade, military officials, his family, and many citizens.
“THE 62-YEAR WAIT HAS COME TO AN END"
A relative of the martyr, Ünsal Özbilenler, stated in his speech at the ceremony that holding a military ceremony for Reşat Ahmet after 62 years holds great significance for them.
Özbilenler pointed out that Ahmet was kidnapped by Greek police and soldiers in a peaceful environment, expressing that the events were a war crime and also a state terrorism.
FINAL JOURNEY IN A COFFIN WRAPPED IN THE FLAG
The remains wrapped in the Turkish flag were taken to the Ortaköy Martyrs' Cemetery after the funeral prayer held at the Nicosia Cemetery.
After the salute of the honor guard, Reşat Ahmet's remains were laid to rest with prayers.
KIDNAPPED IN 1964
Reşat Ahmet, who was 50 years old at the time and working as a taxi driver in Larnaca, was kidnapped by Greek police on May 12, 1964, while taking two Turkish passengers to his village.
Since that day, he was never heard from again, and it was revealed that vehicle registration records were erased from the documents and that no explanation was provided by the Greek authorities of the time regarding the incident.
The remains uncovered 62 years later completed a story that was left unfinished for both his family and the community.