Early Life and Community Involvement

Ioannis Stelianou was born on May 3, 1929, in the village of Trikomo, Famagusta. A graduate of the local primary school, he worked professionally as a builder. Stelianou was deeply involved in his community, playing an instrumental role in establishing the SEK and “Neos Aion” associations in Trikomo.

Dedication to the EOKA Cause

His commitment to national liberation led him to join EOKA in 1956, where he operated with the Trikomo strike groups. Stelianou advanced through nearly all sections of the Organization, collaborating closely with local guerrilla fighters. His activities included manufacturing bombs and weapons and taking part in ambushes against enemy forces. The responsibilities he undertook for the underground movement became all-consuming, eventually forcing him to leave his regular employment.

The Final Operation

On October 24, 1958, Stelianou, alongside fellow fighter Nikos Karantonis and others, embarked on a critical mission. The team placed a pressure mine on the road between the Trikomo police station and its auxiliary post in Perivolia. Their target was the specific military vehicle that routinely transported British police officers between the two locations.

A Tragic End

After laying the mine and as the team began to withdraw, Stelianou noticed a large stone. In a decisive final act, he moved to place the stone on the roadway, intending to create an obstacle that would force the target vehicle over the hidden explosive. Tragically, he accidentally stepped on the mine. The device detonated immediately, killing Stelianou instantly.

The explosion also critically wounded Nikos Karantonis, who was nearby scattering pepper to disorient potential British detection dogs. According to accounts, Karantonis had seen Stelianou’s movement and was in the process of extending his hand in a last-ditch effort to prevent the fatal misstep.