MEP Kostas Mavridis requests EU Commission action on religious site desecration in Kyrenia

Cypriot Member of the European Parliament Kostas Mavridis has submitted a formal inquiry to the European Commission regarding allegations of desecration of religious sites and cemeteries in the Turkish-occupied area of Kyrenia. The allegations include the destruction of tombs, the removal of religious symbols such as crosses from historic churches, and unauthorized exhumations. Specifically, Mavridis cited the recent removal of a cross from the bell tower of the Archangel Michael church in Kyrenia. Furthermore, the report highlights the burial of foreign nationals who allegedly resided illegally in the occupied territories within existing graves at the Kyrenia cemetery. Mavridis characterized these actions as a violation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the destruction of European cultural heritage. He has requested that the European Commission confirm its awareness of these incidents and outline potential actions to address them and restore the damaged sites.