Sigma Live

Association Condemns Vandalism of Kyriakos Matsis Statue

Published March 24, 2026, 07:12
Association Condemns Vandalism of Kyriakos Matsis Statue

The "Nikos Kapetanidis" Action Association strongly condemns the vandalism of the statue of Kyriakos Matsis, a hero and ethnomartyr of EOKA, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The statue, which had been neglected for years, was renovated two years ago at the expense of the Cypriot Presidency, following a decision by President Nikos Christodoulides. The Association emphasizes that such actions cannot alter the historical memory and the legacy of Kyriakos Matsis, who was an excellent graduate of the Agricultural School of AUTH and distinguished himself for his speeches in favor of the union of Cyprus and Greece. During the EOKA Union Struggle, Kyriakos Matsis was tortured by British forces and refused to betray his leader, responding to an offer of 500,000 pounds: "We do not fight for money, but for virtue. I am sorry you offended me with your proposal." On November 19, 1958, in the village of Dikomo, he was surrounded by British soldiers and refused to surrender, replying: "If I come out, I will come out shooting." The British blew up the hideout, killing Matsis. The Action Association states that no vandalism can erase the legacy of the hero.