In the framework of efforts’ intensification made this year to confirm the final fate of all missing persons during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis and the Cypriot Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis visited Argos Orestiko on Thursday, October 22, 2026, aiming to meet the family of the heroic Colonel (INF) Konstantinos Kentras.
During the visit, the families of the heroes of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus were briefed on the initiatives taken for the identification of our heroes, while with their consent, the genetic material samples required to further investigate the fate of the hero were supplemented.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence was received in Argos Orestiko by the Commanding General of the 9th Motorised Brigade, Brigadier General Stefanos Doxakis.
After the end of the visit, Mr Davakis stated:
“Lately, through absolute coordination and close cooperation with Presidential Commissioner Mr Hartsiotis, we managed to complete the collection of genetic material from the relatives of the missing persons. This step is definitive for the identification of the remaining 37 individuals from Greece, who went missing due to the Turkish invasion of 1974.
As a minimum obligation for the heroes and their families, we are making every possible effort, jointly with Cyprus, on every level, setting particular timetables and goals.
The scientific identification process contributed for the first time in this effort, through the active participation of specialised medical personnel of the 251 Air Force General Hospital, with the advanced capabilities now available in its laboratory.
The confirmation of the fate of every missing person is not simply a typical procedure. It is a duty of honour, a national duty and the utmost humanitarian priority of the Hellenic Government.
The exemplary cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in this extremely sensitive issue is bearing fruit, providing solutions for issues which remained pending for decades”.
