The torture and the information battle in colonial Famagusta: The testimony of Fotis Pittas

The First findings about the Famagusta Police Station, the bloody diary of Fotis Pitta and Diar, Ligwit, Roman (Marios), Osman and others...

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The diary of the teacher Fotis Pitta, either in its abbreviated form as preserved in his book by Nikolaos Vassiliadis or in its full form as published in his book by Panos Myrtiotis, constitutes a presumption of the torture and methods of the investigators of the Special Branch in wildest period of torture and persecution, i.e. at the beginning of 1957. Evidence also for the existence and organized operation of an interrogation center, which was not as well known as Omorfita in Nicosia and the "Red House" in Limassol. The absence of comprehensive and detailed research on the functioning of interrogation centers and torture centers and agencies, both in the period after the October Revolution and in the period of the EOKA Struggle, left some interrogations almost unknown or at least mentioned, while there were real purgatories.

In this specific Famagusta Police Station, our compatriots were tortured for days or weeks. Fotis Pittas testifies to seventeen days of abuse and torture. Two hours of beating in the morning and two in the afternoon for many days. Exhaustion, broken ribs. Overnight baking in front of a special high-voltage lamp. Abuse, starvation, psychological warfare until fainting. After long hours of questioning based on the five techniques being developed at that time.

The Famagusta Police Station is one of the least investigated areas of action and operational law enforcement activity of the Special Branch. The same is the case with the activities of the mythical investigator Brooks in the city and province of Limassol, and his tactic of moving interrogation sites. For his presence in Limassol we had the opportunity to talk with our compatriots and collect some first information.

The diary of Fotis Pittas is a monument of luminous resistance against the inhuman conqueror. A monument of faith, endurance and metaphysical greatness of a praying teacher and visionary of the freedom of Cyprus. In addition, it is a presumption for the operation of a largely unknown investigative center of the Special Branch.

We quote the calendar below in its abbreviated form

Thursday 10-1-57
I was arrested by the Police (…) or at 4 p.m. Beating from 5 p.m. - 11 π.μ. at Famagusta station. In the afternoon 3-5 and 9-11 p.m. beating. Diar, Ligwit, Roman (Marios), Osman and others [s.s. the torturers are British and Turkish]. Day of horror, agony, pain. Rib fracture. Paralysis of forces. Uremia. Cold.

Preparation of 11-1-57
I could not cover myself with the blankets (blankets) due to loss of strength. Terrible pains. Beating from 8-10 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. I have not eaten anything since Wednesday. Water only. I walk with difficulty. With a lot of effort I get up. Day and night I groan in pain. Every movement and groan. Lying on a pillow of breads. I pull my hair by hand, to lift my head.

Saturday 12-1-57
The night passed with terrible pains and agony (…); From 8-10 am. I was severely beaten... Sunday 13-1-57(...) I hear the bell of Agios Georgios Exorinos ringing. My heart beats, rejoices. I am asking the Almighty to help me, to give me courage and courage so that I can cope with the torture. Please strengthen me. To deserve me to see our Cyprus free. An anxious day. In the afternoon they enter the cell, they bully me.

Monday 14-1-57
On Sunday, yesterday (…) I made my vow. A candle equal to my height. Night of terror and agony (…). Beating from 8-10 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Almost fasting again. A milk, yogurt and water. Prayer.

Tuesday 15-1-57
One night, which I will remember for the rest of my life (…) · At 11 pm, I was taken to the office, where I found everything they told me. Two electric headlights, very strong intensity. I was forced to sit in front of them until dawn. At a distance of 12-15 inches. Heat. They cooked me slowly. My lips formed a crust.

Wednesday 16-1-57
Sweat runs non-stop. I feel strong headaches. They describe scenes of horror to me. How will they hang me etc. Loss of senses. They include water. Meet. I am transported to my cell by two Turkish aides, supporting me by the armpits. I was not allowed to sleep all day on Tuesday. Tuesday and Wednesday are days of terror, interrogation and agony.

Saturday 19-1-57
(…) The interrogations continue day and night. The bell rings in the church of Ai-Giorgis. I pray, please, thank you.

Sunday 20-1-57
The joyful beacon of the church woke me up. I pray, I start singing. Everything I knew and everything I could remember from the Divine Liturgy. In the afternoon I sang patriotic songs.

Tuesday 22-1-57
(…) As they take me out in the morning and at noon (…) and at night, I hear the loud cries of interrogated persons. Of course they beat them in the same brutal way that they beat me.

Thursday 24-1-57
I am informed that Markos Drakos, one of the best fighters, was killed. I am deeply saddened by this, but I do not lose my courage and my hopes. I believe in the freedom of Cyprus, sooner or later it will come.

Saturday- 26-1-57
I hit the wall of the next cell. I give the slogan and the song begins, like the other days. Everything is monotonous and boring. The evening bell rings again.

Sunday 27-1-57
After the morning tropes and psalms I knew, I started thinking about designing something. on the wall. I capture the idea. Freedom with the sword naked and the flag high.

Thursday 31-1-57 The door opens or, as usual, the barns creak. I get my soup from sausages, onions, etc. After a while the door opens again and they tell me to get ready (.). They handcuff me (take my complaint), put me in the car and transport me to Kokkinotrimithia. New life. Known and unknown. The martyrdom is over. A new beginning begins.

From the book of N.P. Vassiliadis, "National Martyrs of the Cyprus Epic 1955-59", published by Adelf. Theologian "O Sotir", Athens.

By Yiannis Pegeiotis

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