The Pancyprian Association of Democratic Resisters has raised concerns over plans to erect a monument to commandos in Strovolos, expressing fears that it may honour individuals involved in the coup against Makarios in July 1974.

In a letter to the mayor of Strovolos Stavros Stavrinides, the association’s president, Tasos Savva, expressed “great concern” over the initiative by the Pancyprian Reserve Commando Association.

He said that, according to their information, the monument would include recognition for commandos who participated in the 1974 coup, which led to the collapse of democracy and the subsequent Turkish invasion.

“We have sadly observed a systematic effort over the years to glorify the traitors and distort the historical truth through such actions, coming from both private initiatives and, unfortunately, from state organisations,” Savva said in the letter.

He urged the mayor to take action to prevent the creation of a monument that would, in his words, “justify the overthrow of democracy and the rule of law” while dishonouring the memory of the hundreds of democratic fighters who resisted fascism, were tortured, and killed in defence of democracy and legality.

Savva warned that the association would not remain passive if the monument goes ahead, vowing to take strong action to prevent its construction.

Later on Thursday, Akel also criticised the plans surrounding the monument, describing it in a statement “as part of ongoing efforts by right-wing and far-right groups to distort historical truth, absolve the coup plotters, and equate them with the heroes of the democratic resistance”.

The party also raised concerns about the approval process for the memorial, questioning who authorised its construction and when. The monument includes references to all fallen commandos from the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th and 35th commando squadrons, but Akel highlighted that “no state honours or memorials are typically erected for those who overthrow democracies, especially in Cyprus, where the coup led to the Turkish invasion and the ongoing illegal occupation of half of the island”.

The party called on the Strovolos municipality and the government to intervene and halt construction of the memorial, arguing that only by doing so would the historical truth be restored.

“If no action is taken, we pledge to take further steps to prevent the completion of the monument,” the statement said.