Supreme Court ruling may affect similar 1974 missing persons cases

Nicosia, Cyprus. A Supreme Court ruling finding violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in the disappearance of Loizos Hadjigeorgiou and his son Giorgos could have implications for similar 1974 missing persons cases, lawyer Achilleas Demetriades said.

The court awarded the family €100,000 after overturning a 2017 Nicosia district court decision that had rejected the case.

Investigation obligation

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Demetriades said the decision was significant because the two men were allegedly abducted by Turkish Cypriot residents of Strongylos rather than Turkish soldiers.

“The important thing in this case was that the state was convicted because it did not fulfil its obligation to conduct an effective investigation under the circumstances,” he said.

The Supreme Court found violations of Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and ruled that the circumstances required a “targeted and intensive investigation” into possible criminal responsibility.

Potential relevance to other cases

Demetriades said the case differed from the usual cases of people who disappeared in areas under Turkish occupation during the 1974 invasion because information indicated that people allegedly involved in the abduction later entered the government-controlled areas.

He said the ruling could provide a reference point in other cases if the facts were similar.

“In certain cases, there may be parallel responsibility,” Demetriades said.

“The court recognised that there may be parallel responsibility for violations, for ineffective treatment. The state is also to blame, as the Turkish Cypriots who were involved were not examined.”

Disappearance in Strongylos

Loizos Hadjigeorgiou and his son Giorgos disappeared from Strongylos on August 15, 1974, during the second phase of the Turkish invasion.