Turkish Pilot Cengiz Topel’s 1964 Autopsy Reveals Torture Details

Doctor Ayten Berkalp, who was part of the medical team in Lefkoşa, recounted her participation in the autopsy of Pilot Captain Cengiz Topel, shot down during the Turkish air operation against Greek‑Cypriot forces on 8 August 1964. She described clear signs of severe torture inflicted by the Greek Cypriot captors, including multiple wounds, organ removal and re‑attachment to conceal bullet impacts.

Topel’s body, recovered after intense diplomatic pressure and United Nations intervention, was handed over to Turkish authorities on 11 August 1964 and returned to Turkey for burial. The autopsy findings underscored the brutality of the conflict and the war‑crime allegations against the Greek‑Cypriot side.