Father of 16-year-old Greek Cypriot boy who removed a Turkish flag from a school in north Cyprus send apology letter to Akinci

The father of a 16-year-old Greek Cypriot boy who removed a Turkish flag from a school in  Akdoğan, north Cyprus last week has written an apology letter to Turkish Cypriot president, Mustafa Akinci expressing his family’s sincere apologies for the incident.

The letter was delivered to Akinci along with the stolen Turkish flag and the photograph of former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, which the teen had taken from the school while fellow Greek Cypriots attended a church service near the school, the first in 45 years.

Following the incident an ‘arrest warrant’ was issued on the 16-year-old. 

The man, his son and the whole family express their sincerest apologies “to those who, justifiably felt sorrow, anger and disappointment by the actions.”

Akinci on Monday delivered the letter to Turkish Cypriot media following the request of the 16-year-old’s father to convey the family’s apology to the Turkish Cypriot community.

In the letter, the teen’s father expressed the family’s “deep sorrow for the consequences caused to all of us by the thoughtless acts of our 16-year-old son which we condemn unreservedly”.

It was frivolous act done by a teenager under too much emotional charge, the father said, giving reassurances his son has recognised his mistake and expressed regret.

We hope and wish that the positive climate of understanding and friendship created between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has not been disturbed irreparably, he said.

According to Turkish Cypriot media, Akinci said that it was very important that the family apologised and recognised there was a mistake.

In order not to repeat these mistakes, it is necessary to strengthen the culture of peace in both societies, in every field of life by focusing on the education system, he said.

The apology of the family is an important and valuable step taken in this direction, Akinci said.