Panagiotis Symeou

He was born in the village of Pachna¹, Limassol district, on September 8, 1936.

He was killed by British soldiers at dawn on November 25, 1958 in Limassol², when he attempted to escape.

Panagiotis Symeou, or Panikos as his family called him, finished the primary school of Pachna and became involved in viticulture. His interest in public affairs was evident from a very early age. At the age of just 17, he pioneered the establishment of the New Guild of Pachna and a sports club in his village. He also organized national events, inspiring everyone with the Greek foustanella he wore.

He joined EOKA in early 1956 and was very active. He took part in the attack on the Pachna police station, in four bombings of the Episkopi water system and in EOKA attacks on Kivides and Kissousa. He then joined the guerrilla group in his area, which was staying in a hideout between the villages of Foini and Agios Nikolaos.

When the hideout was discovered by the British, Panikos Symeou, on the orders of the Organization, gathered the weapons with a fellow fighter and transported them to Omodos. The guerrillas, who were temporarily scattered, regrouped again into two groups, one of which included Panikos. The action of this group continued with attacks against the British in Avdimou and Trimiklini.

Due to his extensive activities, Panikos Symeou was wanted and in November 1958 he was arrested by the British. For three days he was subjected to horrific torture at the Avdimou³ police station.

On the evening of the 24th towards the dawn of the 25th of November 1958, the day on which the discussion of the Cyprus problem began at the UN and a ceasefire prevailed, the British, under the threat of weapons, took him to Limassol, to show them EOKA weapons. On 28th October Street, near the GSO stadium, Panikos jumped out of the police car and started running, to escape. The British soldiers and the Turkish auxiliary police officers who accompanied him opened fire on him and killed him.

It was dawn on November 25, 1958. In the crossfire, one of his police officers and an English soldier were also killed.

At Panikos' burial, which, by order of the English, contrary to the rules of the Orthodox Church, took place at ten o'clock in the evening, the crowd knelt in the cemetery and sang the national anthem. At his first memorial service, the village girls danced, at the suggestion of his mother, Kalamatian singing his own lyrics, which he himself sang when he danced with his mother.

Panagiotis Symeou is, together with Savvas Rotsides, the last hero to fall during the struggle.