The deaths of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Spyrou Solomou
The following images and video clips describing the events of August 1996 still have the ability to shock.
I have no control over the added soundtrack or subtitles and it is possible that the videos have been edited in such a way that they encourage a particular viewpoint.
11th August 1996:
Tasos Isaac is very severely beaten within the UN Buffer Zone
The video is a compilation of still images showing the approach of a helmeted policeman who it was thought inflicted the fatal blow
It also shows UN personnel trying to protect Isaac and then removing his body from the Buffer Zone
The shocking death of Tassos Isaac.......following the beatings shown in the first video, the UN attempt to protect the victim
A counter demonstrator picks up a stone (on the right of the film) and moves behind the defending UN soldier
The stone is then thrown with great force at the victim's head
An Irish UNFICYP police officer gave a statement and an extract is shown below:
“I ran over to assist the second man. As I approached this man I observed that he appeared to be unconscious and there was blood coming from his nose and mouth. I pushed one man away from the man on the ground and shouted at the crowd ‘Stop. You‘ll kill him’.
I was then attacked from behind. There were approximately 10 of 12 people around the man on the ground at this stage, including a number of Turkish Cypriot policemen. I pushed some of these people away and eventually the attackers moved away.
I briefly checked the man on the ground for signs of life. I observed no sign of life. I stood up and as I did so I observed a man who was wearing a grey sleeve-less T-shirt …. I would not be able to identify this man if I saw him again. This man had a large stone, held in both his hands, raised above his head. This man threw the stone at the man on the ground. The stone struck the man on the ground on the right hand side of his head causing him to jerk. The man who threw the stone immediately turned and ran away".
14th August 1996:
A detailed report of the events filmed by Associated Press. There is no added commentary but English voices shouting for an ambulance can be heard
The video shows the initial shooting and then a wounded demonstrator being carried away........it finishes with the UN retrieving the body of Solomos Solomou
The video taken by another cameraman shows how the UN soldier attempted to restrain Solomou
Two UN soldiers indicate that they intend to assist Solomou
Note: The three videos that have been 'age-restricted' need to be viewed directly within a logged in YouTube account.....click the link in the black frames above.