Arikli criticises Republic over renewed warrant in Tassos Isaac killing
Erhan Arikli responded to reports of a renewed arrest warrant linked to the 1996 killing of Tassos Isaac.
Nicosia, Cyprus. The north’s ‘transport minister’ Erhan Arikli criticised the Republic over efforts to maintain an arrest warrant against him in connection with the 1996 killing of Tassos Isaac. He responded after Greek Cypriot media reported on a fresh warrant in the case.
Arikli’s response
According to Turkish Cypriot journalist Sefa Karahasan of TRT, Arikli said: “A dog whose death is near urinates in the mosque courtyard.”
The expression is a derogatory Turkish proverb used to describe a person who, believing they have little left to lose, behaves provocatively or without restraint.
Previous detention
Arikli is among those wanted in connection with Isaac’s murder and has previously been detained abroad under an Interpol alert.
He was arrested in Kyrgyzstan in 2012 but released after Turkey intervened. Cyprus’ extradition request was unsuccessful.
Killings in 1996
Isaac, 24, was beaten to death in August 1996 after becoming trapped in barbed wire in the UN buffer zone at Dherynia during an anti-occupation demonstration.
Three days later, 26-year-old Solomos Solomou was shot dead after climbing a flagpole at a Turkish military position in an attempt to remove a Turkish flag.
Arrest warrants
Eight arrest warrants were issued in connection with Isaac’s murder. The original warrants were cancelled in 2013 on procedural grounds and replaced by new warrants issued by the Famagusta district court.
Five warrants were also issued over Solomou’s killing, although Interpol red notices were obtained for only two suspects.
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