Polykarpos Giorkatzis Court Appearance and Conviction

Polykarpos Giorkatzis appeared before a Cypriot court on March 12, 1970, after President Makarios ordered his arrest for the assassination attempt on March 8, 1970. The charges against him included illegal possession of weapons and explosive materials. Specifically, he faced accusations for holding firearms without the special permission of the Council of Ministers. The court found him guilty and imposed only a small monetary fine as punishment.

Investigation Strategy

Makarios decided that investigation and arrests should proceed “in all directions” to avoid the public perception he was acting against Giorkatzis for political motives. The president planned to inform the public only when police completed their investigation and had sufficient evidence to convict Giorkatzis and his fellow conspirators.

Previous Day’s Arrests of Associates

One day earlier, on March 11, 1970, authorities had arrested three well-known political associates of Giorkatzis. All three men served in the police force, with one holding the rank of Sergeant. They faced suspicion for their involvement in the assassination attempt against Archbishop Makarios.

Giorkatzis Attempts to Flee Cyprus

On Friday afternoon, March 13, 1970, Giorkatzis attempted to leave Cyprus. Despite his efforts, he failed to secure a meeting with Makarios beforehand. He boarded a Middle East Airlines flight destined for Beirut.

Dramatic Intervention at the Airport

Two soldiers, specifically tasked with monitoring Nicosia Airport, spotted Polykarpos Giorkatzis. The aircraft had already taxied and prepared for takeoff when the control tower issued an order for its return. Police officers then boarded the plane and informed Giorkatzis that authorities prohibited his departure from Cyprus.

Polykarpos Giorkatzis’s Fate

Release and Assassination

Giorkatzis did not face trial for the assassination attempt. One week after the attempt, on March 15, 1970, gunmen assassinated Giorkatzis near the village of Mia Milia. He drove to a secret night rendezvous, and occupants of another vehicle opened fire with automatic weapons, delivering a coup de grace.

Posthumous Findings

In the subsequent trial of the men who shot at the President’s helicopter, the court noted Giorkatzis’s leading part as chief instigator and planner of the attempt. The court did not call him to account as he was already deceased.