TRNC Buries Martyr Who Died in 1964

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has laid to rest a martyr who went missing in 1964. The identity of Eşref Salih, who died on May 12, 1964, was established 60 years later following excavations in Larnaca.

The burial ceremony took place today at the Tuzla Cemetery with full military honors. The ceremony was attended by TRNC President Ersin Tatar, Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre, Commander of the Security Forces Major General Osman Aytaç, officials from the Turkish Embassy in Famagusta, Famagusta District Governor Özden Keser, Mayor Süleyman Uluçay, other military and civilian officials, and the martyr’s relatives.

The ceremony began with a speech by Ersin Tatar, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyr and a ceremonial gun salute.

In his speech, the head of Northern Cyprus noted that the state had done everything possible to ensure the martyr found peace and was laid to rest after 60 years. Following the funeral prayer, President Ersin Tatar presented the Turkish and TRNC flags that had draped Eşref Salih's coffin to the martyr’s relatives.

The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Faruk Seçkin, an official from the Famagusta Directorate of Religious Affairs, and the burial process.