Erhan Arikli speaks of "honour" — 30 years after the murder of Tasos Isaak
Wanted man Erhan Arikli, who is subject to an arrest warrant for the murder of Tasos Isaak, made statements about "honour" and flags. Philenews responds with sharp criticism.
Arikli speaks of "honour" — Philenews: "What honour does a flag have when accompanied by murder?"
According to Philenews, Erhan Arikli — a wanted man and one of five individuals against whom arrest warrants remain outstanding for the murder of Tasos Isaak — made statements several days ago about "honour", flags and banners. "The flag should not come down, the banner should not fall," he stated characteristically, presenting their defence as a matter of honour.
Philenews contrasts these statements with the facts of that day: Tasos Isaak, 24 years old, unarmed, became trapped in barbed wire and sustained fatal blows from a crowd. They continued to beat him while he lay on the ground and could not defend himself.
The same source reports that Solomos Solomou was shot dead while unarmed, climbing a pole. In both cases, the victims posed no military threat. Tasos Isaak, Philenews emphasises, was not on a battlefield; he went there to loudly express his anguish for his homeland.
Thirty years after the murder, the arrest warrants for the five persons involved remain unexecuted. Arikli has not appeared before court, nor has he answered the charges. Meanwhile, according to the report, he appears as a political figure, enjoying positions and offices.
Philenews notes that Tasos Isaak's daughter was born after her father's murder and never knew him. His family awaits justice that has been delayed for three decades.
The article concludes with a question directed squarely at Arikli: whether there is honour in impunity, whether it is honour to speak of symbols while avoiding answering for one's own responsibility towards an unarmed and innocent person who was killed in front of cameras.
Source: Philenews