[LebArmenian]

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However, as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion and the illegal occupation of 36.4% of Cyprus’s territory, the cultural and religious heritage in the area not under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, has been subjected to the most violent and systematic destruction. As a result of the ongoing policy of pillage, destruction and disrespect of the occupation authorities towards the religious and cultural heritage of Cyprus, hundreds of historic and religious monuments in various regions of the occupied area have been destroyed, looted and vandalized. Illegal excavations have been carried out and art treasures have been stolen from museums and private collections and sold abroad.

According to information provided by the competent authorities of the Government of Cyprus, more than 500 Greek Orthodox churches and chapels and 17 monasteries located in towns and villages of the occupied area, have been pillaged, deliberately vandalized and in some cases, demolished. Until today, the whereabouts of the ecclesiastical items of these churches, including more than 15 000 portable icons, remain unknown. Moreover, it is estimated by the Cyprus police that since 1974 more than 60 000 ancient artifacts have been illegally transferred to different countries around the world. The most significant and priceless icons came in possession of auction houses and were illegally sold by art dealers abroad.

The fact that more than 133 churches, chapels and monasteries have been desecrated, 77 churches have been converted into mosques, 28 are being used by the occupation forces as depots, dormitories or hospitals, 13 are used as stockyards or hay barns, clearly proves that the target of the occupation authorities has always been the religious and cultural heritage in the northern part of Cyprus. In particular, the recent conversion of the church of Agia Anastasia, in the occupied village of Lapithos (Kyrenia region), into a luxurious hotel and casino and the use of the Armenian Monastery of Sourp Magar (founded in the Medieval period) as a cafeteria, constitute concrete proof of the illicit purposes of the occupation authorities. Furthermore, such actions prove that not only the Orthodox Church, but the Armenian and the Latin Churches of Cyprus have also been victims of such plunder and have suffered considerable loses.

Due to the Turkish invasion, all the legitimate archaeological excavations in the districts of Ammochostos, Kyrenia and Morfou were interrupted. Unfortunately, it has been reported that all items permanently exhibited in museums in the occupied area, as well as the unregistered material from the storehouses of foreign archaeological missions, were also looted and illegally exported abroad.