Erhan Arıklı, a Turkish-Cypriot politician wanted in connection with the 1996 killing of Greek Cypriot protester Solomos Solomou, has published a detailed, multi-point defense of the events surrounding the 1996 buffer zone clashes.
Writing on Facebook on the 30th anniversary of the killings, Arıklı lashed out at critics who questioned the lethal force used during the protests, dismissing them as victims of “black propaganda” under the influence of the Greek Cypriot military.
Arıklı, who serves as a minister in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus, specifically addressed the death of Solomos Solomou—Isaac’s cousin who was shot three days later while climbing a flagpole.
Responding directly to those asking, “Was it worth it for a piece of cloth?”, Arıklı argued that the Turkish flag carries deep national and military weight that transcends a mere physical object.
The Seven Arguments for the Flag
In his post, Arıklı outlined an explicit manifesto detailing why the flag was defended with force:
State Sovereignty & Identity: He claimed the flag is the core symbol of a nation’s independence and acts as the official identity of a state in the international arena.
Honor of Martyrs: The flag, he wrote, carries the direct memory of fallen soldiers and connects present generations to their common history and values.
Military Purpose: He argued that the symbol makes the concept of a “homeland” concrete for frontline soldiers during times of war.
Turkish Tradition: Citing historical military customs, Arıklı asserted that the rule “the flag should not be lowered, the banner should not fall” is a matter of state honor rather than a simple tactical decision.
Rejection of Foreign Authority: He maintained that removing a nation’s flag signals total submission to an opposing power, stating: “Throughout history, this has meant: ‘I do not recognize your sovereignty; I have my own sovereignty in your place.'”
Active Warrants and Legal Reality
Arıklı’s defiant post comes as the Republic of Cyprus reaffirms its intent to execute long-standing arrest warrants. Eight active warrants remain connected to the beating death of Tassos Isaac in the Dherynia buffer zone, alongside five warrants tied to the shooting of Solomou.
Although Arıklı was previously detained in Kyrgyzstan in 2012 under an Interpol Red Notice, he was released following political intervention by Turkey. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly found Turkey responsible for violations of the right to life in both 1996 cases.
Despite international rulings and active Interpol notices, Arıklı remains a leading political figure in the occupied north, continuing to frame the unresolved killings as a justified defense of Turkish sovereignty.
Related: Brutal Murders of Isaak, Solomou Still Haunt Cyprus
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