The remains of former Cypriot President stolen

Posted by Geronimo Boosh on December 11, 2009 · Leave a Comment

A year after his death, the body of Tassos Papadopoulos has been stolen by strangers in the night from Thursday to Friday in Nicosia. A “heinous crime” that puts the island in turmoil.

On the eve of the commemoration of his death, the remains of former Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, who died December 12, 2008, was stolen near Nicosia, in the north, by strangers.

The desecration of the grave and stealing the body in the cemetery Deftera, south-west of the capital, were discovered Friday morning by a guard whose mission is to light a candle every day at the tomb of former chairman.

The family of Tassos Papadopoulos was immediately made on site, and the police chief in Nicosia, who oversees the survey. For now, the religious ceremony originally scheduled for Saturday at the church Deftera to commemorate the first anniversary of his death is maintained.

Advocate for the Greek Cypriot

“I can not imagine what kind of character can commit a crime so horrible,” said Andros Kyprianou, leader of the communist Akel party in power. The Diko, former party center-right Papadopoulos, said his side he was a “heinous crime”.

Tassos Papadopoulos was elected President of the Republic of Cyprus in 2003, was known as an uncompromising defender of the Greek Cypriot cause in the face of attempts to resolve the partition of the island. In 2004, in particular, he urged Greek Cypriots to vote “no” referendum on reunification of the island.

His term ended February 29, 2008, after he was defeated in elections by the Communist candidate Demetris Christofias.