Kizilyurek's Public Apology for the 1996 Murders
August 18, 2026
Former MEP Niyazi Kizilyurek publicly apologized to the daughter of Tassos Isaac, expressing his shame as a Turkish Cypriot for the murders that occurred in 1996. He described horrific scenes of violence from that summer, referring to the perpetrators' actions as a 'ritual of death.' He emphasized the responsibility of everyone to apologize for these crimes. Kizilyurek's post also outlines the consequences of these events for the community. His statement offers an introspective look at the history between the two communities.