Early Life and Education
Alekos Konstantinou was born on October 6, 1936, in Kakopetria, a village in the Nicosia district. He grew up in Famagusta, where he attended primary school and later studied at the Greek High School of Famagusta and the Commercial High School of Famagusta until the fifth grade. Alongside his formal education, he took English language courses at an institute, where he excelled in exams. His strong performance helped him secure a prestigious position in the British army.
Alekos was the only child and shared a deep bond with his mother. His father had left them when he was very young, leaving his mother as his sole guardian.
Involvement in the EOKA Struggle
When the Cypriot liberation struggle began, Alekos joined a Famagusta-based EOKA group. His home became a meeting place for the group, and with his mother’s assistance, they hid weapons there. Because of his role in the British army, Alekos often socialized with English soldiers, even inviting them to his house. This clever tactic prevented suspicion and allowed him to operate discreetly within the resistance movement.
The Assassination of Interrogator Diar
On April 14, 1958, Alekos Konstantinou and a fellow fighter carried out a bold attack on Diar, a notorious English interrogator known for brutally torturing EOKA members. Diar had arrogantly claimed that no one could confront him directly and survive. The two fighters ambushed him near the Heraion cinema and shot him dead.
As Diar lay dying, he managed to describe his attackers to his two military police companions, who immediately pursued Alekos and his comrade. The two fighters escaped by rushing into the Heraion cinema and later fled to join guerrilla forces.
Tragic Death in Kourdali
On June 20, 1958, Alekos accompanied Panagiotis Georgiadis to the village of Kourdali in the Nicosia district. There, along with Costas Anaxagorou and Andreas Patsalidis, they planned an ambush against British forces. However, a mine explosion tragically killed all four fighters before they could execute their mission.
Alekos Konstantinou’s bravery and sacrifice remain a testament to his dedication to Cyprus’s fight for freedom.
