Identities of 15 victims from 1974 Atlılar massacre identified

The Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) has identified the identities of 15 Turkish Cypriots who were killed and buried in mass graves during the 1974 Atlılar massacre. The victims were part of a group of 37 civilians killed by EOKA members, Greek soldiers, and police in the villages of Atlılar, Muratağa, and Sandallar on August 14, 1974.

Excavations conducted by the CMP between July 2023 and April 2024 utilized DNA testing to match remains found at the Atlılar cemetery with samples provided by relatives. Among the 15 identified individuals, eight are children, including a 40-day-old infant, Seldem Ali Osman, and a 16-month-old, Betül Arnavut.

A state ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 1, at the Atlılar Martyrdom to honor the deceased before they are laid to rest.