Muratağa-Sandallar-Atlılar massacre remembered

President Ersin Tatar who attended the ceremony said that the atrocities committed in these three villages went on in front of the eyes of the whole world.

“No one was tried for these crimes,” he said, adding that they want to leave behind a free state for future generations.

Martyrs who were killed in the Murtağa, Sandallar, Atlılar mass massacre were remembered on Sunday.

The first ceremony was held at the Muratağa, Sandallar martyrs cemetery.

Wreaths were laid, a minutes silence observed and shots were fired in tribute followed by the raising of the flags to the national anthem.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Ersin Tatar said that a horrific atrocity had been committed in Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar during which Greek Cypriots had massacred women, children and the elderly villagers before burying them in mass graves.

He said that it was not possible for the Turkish Cypriot people to forget such painful incidents of the past.

Tatar pointed out that peace had arrived in Cyprus as a result of the second peace operation.

“The Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar massacre took place before the eyes of the UN. These atrocities were carried out by Greek Cypriot police and soldiers and no one was tried,” he said.

The ceremony came to an end with the laying of flowers at the graves.

Meanwhile a similar ceremony was also held at the Atlılar martyrs cemetery.