March 15, 1957
DEATH OF AFXENTIOU: Nicosia, 4 – The death of Grigoris Afxentiou, 29, was announced here yesterday. Adjutant to the leader of the National Cypriot Fighters’ Organization (EOKA), Afxentiou had been wanted since April 1955. He was killed in a battle south of Nicosia, after fighting off 60 British soldiers for 10 hours on his own from a cave near the monastery of Mahaira, near Mount Troodos. According to the Times correspondent here, when the battle ended Afxentiou’s body was in flames. He had killed a British soldier before dying himself. The British had issued a bounty of 5,000 pounds on Afxentiou. In the cave were another four Cypriots who gave themselves up. The injured Afxentiou, however, continued to fight off the British alone, despite the dozens of hand grenades thrown into the cave. Afxentiou had served in the Greek army and was a taxi driver in Cyprus. EOKA TRUCE: Nicosia, 14 – The National Cypriot Fighters’ Organization (EOKA) is prepared to cease operations as soon as Archbishop Makarios, who has been exiled to the Seychelles, is freed, according to a proclamation.
