Pilot Captain Cengiz Topel, the first air war martyr in the history of the Turkish Republic, who was martyred in 1964 when his plane was shot down by the Greek Cypriots during a warning flight of the Turkish Air Force in Cyprus, was commemorated at his graveside.
Members of the Istanbul Branch of the Turkish Cypriot Culture Association organized a commemoration for all martyrs at the Edirnekapı Martyrdom in line with the 59th anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance.
The event was attended by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Istanbul Consul General Fatma Demirel, the head of the Istanbul Branch of the Cyprus Turkish Culture Association Zehra Bilge Eray, some representatives of non-governmental organizations and many Cyprus veterans.
Wreaths were laid and a minutes silence was observed.
Speaking at the event, Istanbul Consul General Fatma Demirel stated that she was honoured to be visiting Cengiz Topel’s grave on the 59th anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance.
Stating that Topel had lost his life as a result of the severe torture he had been subjected to after being captured after his plane was shot down and crashed, Demirel said “This has opened very deep wounds in the hearts of the Turkish Cypriot people. Today, I am honoured to be in your presence on the anniversary of the Erenköy Resistance, which is a cornerstone on the road to the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”.
“From this point forward it is up to us to move forward, fully committed to our lands and our homeland” she said.