Archbishop hails return of stolen frescoes

By Aline Davidian

ARCHBISHOP Chrysostomos yesterday called for an end to the “cultural ethnic cleansing” taking place in the Turkish occupied areas of the island.

The Primate of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus was speaking at a press conference marking the return from Germany of 32 stolen pieces of mosaics and frescoes. The frescoes had been hacked from the walls of the church of Antiphonitis, while the mosaic came from the church of Kanakaria, both in the occupied areas.

The treasures were found in the possession of Munich-based Turkish art smuggler, Dikmen Aydin, after a lengthy police investigation.

“So far, 210 items have been found and the German authorities said they would return them to us once we prove our ownership,” Chrysostomos said.

He said there were no international legal means which could facilitate the “return of our treasures”, adding that Unesco could not intervene in the Turkish occupied areas because it did not recognise the ‘TRNC’.

“The only way to put a halt to this cultural ethnic cleansing is to end Turkey’ illegal occupation of the island,” said Chrysostomos.

Attorney-general Alecos Markides said the government had requested Aydin’s extradition from the German authorities, adding that destruction of cultural heritage in occupied Cyprus was tolerated by the occupation regime.

Amplifying his statements, Police Chief Panicos Hadjiloizou said co- operation with the German police would provide further information on the case, and could lead to Dikmen’s extradition.

Cyprus’ Honourary Consul in the Netherlands, Tasoula Hadjitofi, said publicity must be given to the plunder of such treasures, but pointed out that solid evidence had always to be secured first.

She will be nominated by Archbishop Chrysostomos for the Holy Synod’s medal of the Apostle Barnabas in recognition of her tireless efforts to retrieve the stolen treasures.