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UK government pays damages to 33 Cypriot pensioners UK government pays damages to 33 Cypriot pensioners
(about 2 hours later)
Thirty-three Cypriot pensioners who claimed they were tortured by British forces during an armed uprising in the late 1950s are to be awarded £1m damages by the UK government.Thirty-three Cypriot pensioners who claimed they were tortured by British forces during an armed uprising in the late 1950s are to be awarded £1m damages by the UK government.
The group was arrested on suspicion of being part of paramilitary organisation EOKA, which fought a guerrilla campaign to overthrow British control in Cyprus.The group was arrested on suspicion of being part of paramilitary organisation EOKA, which fought a guerrilla campaign to overthrow British control in Cyprus.
One woman, aged 16 at the time, claimed she was repeatedly raped by soldiers. One woman, aged 16 at the time, said she was repeatedly raped by soldiers.
The government said the settlement was not "any admission of liability".The government said the settlement was not "any admission of liability".
The 1955-1959 rebellion was known as the Cyprus Emergency, during which the governor enacted draconian laws, flooding the island with 30,000 soldiers, police officers and Turkish-Cypriot thugs.The 1955-1959 rebellion was known as the Cyprus Emergency, during which the governor enacted draconian laws, flooding the island with 30,000 soldiers, police officers and Turkish-Cypriot thugs.
Some 371 British military personnel died during the emergency.Some 371 British military personnel died during the emergency.
The claimants - now in their 70s and 80s and in poor health - have had to wait almost 60 years to seek justice for their injuries, because the government documents outlining their treatment were classified and out of reach until 2012.The claimants - now in their 70s and 80s and in poor health - have had to wait almost 60 years to seek justice for their injuries, because the government documents outlining their treatment were classified and out of reach until 2012.
The most serious case involved a 16-year-old girl who said she was detained and repeatedly raped by men she described in court documents as soldiers. The most serious case involved the 16-year-old, who said she was detained and repeatedly raped by men she described in court documents as soldiers.
She claimed she was then beaten for days before being forced to wear a noose in a mock execution.She claimed she was then beaten for days before being forced to wear a noose in a mock execution.
Her medical report revealed she has suffered lifelong physical and mental torture which has made forming relationships difficult.Her medical report revealed she has suffered lifelong physical and mental torture which has made forming relationships difficult.
Another man lost a kidney as a result of his interrogation in a notorious facility in Limassol, known as the Red House, and was jailed for several months for carrying leaflets supporting the EOKA forces.Another man lost a kidney as a result of his interrogation in a notorious facility in Limassol, known as the Red House, and was jailed for several months for carrying leaflets supporting the EOKA forces.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme in November 2017 Demetrios Glykis recalled being chased through the streets by British military police.Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme in November 2017 Demetrios Glykis recalled being chased through the streets by British military police.
"They were swearing at me, I was very scared. They threw me in their car, the back of a Land Rover and said 'we will fix you up, you bastard Greek'," he said."They were swearing at me, I was very scared. They threw me in their car, the back of a Land Rover and said 'we will fix you up, you bastard Greek'," he said.
"One of officers came up to me and gave me a slap in the face. My head almost came off. My eardrum broke."One of officers came up to me and gave me a slap in the face. My head almost came off. My eardrum broke.
"I can't get my health back. I just want justice.""I can't get my health back. I just want justice."
'Stain on British history''Stain on British history'
Though it has taken since 2015 to reach this settlement, the government has consistently denied liability, saying too much time has passed for a court to decide who was responsible.Though it has taken since 2015 to reach this settlement, the government has consistently denied liability, saying too much time has passed for a court to decide who was responsible.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sir Alan Duncan said: "The settlement does not constitute any admission of liability and is not a precedent in respect of any potential future claims against the government. In a written ministerial statement, Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said: "The settlement does not constitute any admission of liability and is not a precedent in respect of any potential future claims against the government.
"However, the government has settled the case in order to draw a line under this litigation and to avoid the further escalation of costs, which would ultimately be borne by the taxpayer". "However, the government has settled the case in order to draw a line under this litigation and to avoid the further escalation of costs, which would ultimately be borne by the taxpayer."
He added: "It is a matter of regret for the UK government that the transition of Cyprus from British administration to independence should have been preceded by five years of violence and loss of life, affecting all residents of the island."He added: "It is a matter of regret for the UK government that the transition of Cyprus from British administration to independence should have been preceded by five years of violence and loss of life, affecting all residents of the island."
The small firm of Birmingham solicitors which took on the case said there was ample evidence of violent treatment, but it welcomed the settlement which has brought to an end a lengthy, costly and occasionally bitter legal battle over a dark part of Britain's colonial history.The small firm of Birmingham solicitors which took on the case said there was ample evidence of violent treatment, but it welcomed the settlement which has brought to an end a lengthy, costly and occasionally bitter legal battle over a dark part of Britain's colonial history.
The claimants described their suffering as a stain on British history that has now been put to bed.The claimants described their suffering as a stain on British history that has now been put to bed.
Sir Alan said that in reaching the settlement, the UK has reaffirmed its highest respect for the memory and sacrifice of British and Cypriot service personnel and employees of the Crown who gave their lives.Sir Alan said that in reaching the settlement, the UK has reaffirmed its highest respect for the memory and sacrifice of British and Cypriot service personnel and employees of the Crown who gave their lives.