Thousands of cypriots, men and women of every age, attended the funeral of the former President of Cyprus and long-time General Secretary of AKEL, Demetris Christofias, who died on Friday at the age of 72.
The funeral, which took place in Strovolos, dictrict of Nicosia, was also attended by numerous officials, including the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, members of the Cypriot government, as well as representatives of political parties from Cyprus and Greece.
Eulogy speeches were delivered by his son Christos Christofias and Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the CC of AKEL.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) was represented by a delegation including General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas, politburo member Giorgos Marinos, the General Secretary of KNE Nikos Abatielos and Central Committee member Giannis Manousogiannakis. Upon his arrival at the church Dimitris Koutsoumbas was welcomed with applauses by members and friends of AKEL and the KKE, men and women of the cypriot working, something that expresses the close fraternal relations between the two parties.
In the book of condolences, the General Secretary of the KKE wrote for the late Demetris Christofias:
"The CC of the KKE, the communist men and women of Greece, the struggling Greek working people, are playing deep triubute to the memory of comrade Demetris Christofias, a prominent personality of the international labour and communist movement, acclaimed leader of AKEL and of the cypriot people as a whole, who he served from various important positions including the one of the President of the Republic of Cyprus.
We will always remember him with fraternal love and esteem.
Deep condolences to the CC of AKEL, the men and women of AKEL, the members and cadres of EDON and his whole family, especially c. Elsi and his 3 children, Marianna, Christina and Christos." (Unofficial translation from 902.gr)
The final resting place of Demetris Christofias was the cemetery of Egkomi.
Photos:
(Source: dialogos.com.cy)
 |
| Christofias' coffin, covered with the banner of AKEL, lying in state at the Pancyprian Federation of Labour offices in Nicosia. |
 |
| "Farewell COMRADE. Thank you for everything" writes the banner. |
 |
| The General Secretary of the KKE Dimitris Koutsoumbas pays tribute to D.Christofias. |