"Andreas Dimitrios"

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Andreas Demetriou (Lemesos, 18 September 1934 – Nicosia, 10 May 1956) was a Greek Cypriot E.O.K.A. fighter and hero of Cyprus. For his action, he was sentenced by the English forces to hanging.

Life Story
Andreas Demetriou was born in 1934 in Agios Mamas Limassol. His parents were Dimitris and Eudocia Basil. He graduated from St. Mamados primary school and studied for three years at Famagusta Night High School. He first worked in an explosives and hunting shop and later in the English army. He was Secretary of the Guild of the Feds in Famagusta. He was distinguished for his hardworking, initiative, and conscientiousness. He joined the EECA and acted with the Famagusta groups, expanding his participation in the executive.

One of the operations in which he starred was the grab of weapons from the military depots of the port of Famagusta where he worked, in early December 1955, immediately after landing and before being transferred and settled. The weapons were promoted to various rebel groups, which until then were equipped with almost only hunting gear. The operation has succeeded completely and the E.O.K.A. has been greatly strengthened.

Hanging
On November 28, 1955, he attempted to execute British agent Taylor, whom he also wounded, Andrew was faced with armed soldiers guarding him. He planned against them his weapon, which was involved and so the soldiers arrested him after they hurt him. He was sentenced to death and along with his rival Michalakis Karaoli were the first to be hanged. Previously, he had filed an appeal which was rejected, as was the petition for pardon, which lawyers filed with Governor Harting and Queen Elizabeth.

He was hanged with Michalakis Karaolis on Thursday after Easter on May 10, 1956. The murders of these two heroes were an example of sacrifice for the struggling Cypriot people and the struggles for freedom intensified.

“All I regret is that I will not be able to see our Cyprus free”
were his last words to his mother a few hours before his hanging.

“To the good, my son and have courage to the end”
was her answer.

Reactions
The execution of these Cypriot fighters caused a tremendous stream of indignation throughout the world. Many gatherings and marches took place in Athens. The Municipality of Athens renamed Loukianos Street, where the residence of the English Embassy in Karaoli and Demetrios Street, the Municipality of Piraeus did the same by renouncing Admiral Beat Street in today's Karaoli and Dimitrios Street. Also, in Caesarian two streets bear the names of the two fighters, one of Michael Karaolis and the other of Andreas Demetrios.

See Still
Michalakis Karalis
National Organization of Cypriot Fighters
English rule in Cyprus (1