Former Justice Minister Kypros Chrysostomides dies at age 80

Lawyer, politician and former Minister of Justice Kypros Chrysostomidis passed away at the age of 80. He had health issues in recent years. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Nicosia's Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., his family will accept condolences.

The well-known lawyer and politician was born in the Paphos village of Katheka in 1942. He studied law at the University of Athens and comparative law in Luxembourg before pursuing postgraduate studies at the University of Bonn, where he received a Doctor of Law degree. He was a research assistant professor of Private International Law at the University of Bonn in Germany, and he continued his studies in England.

He worked for the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commission in Strasbourg for four years, where he was involved in the Commission's investigation into the Athens Junta's charges and the formulation of the Commission's damning report. He settled in Nicosia and began working as a lawyer, running his own firm since 1981.

In an interview with Must magazine in July 2020, he discussed the battle he faced at the Referral Hospital after becoming ill with coronavirus.

Kypros Chrysostomidis attempted to learn life lessons as he described them during difficult times. Initially, he stated, "During April, I was first admitted to Nicosia's ICU and then to Famagusta's Referral Hospital's ICU. You claim that I won the difficult battle against the coronavirus. My fate might have been different if the doctors and nursing staff had not assisted and cared for me. I thank them from the bottom of my heart and express my eternal gratitude publicly."

He described his most difficult time as "the time when the virus completely immobilized me." But, without losing hope, he said shortly after being released from the hospital, "All I'm concerned with right now is learning a life lesson. This ordeal has taught me only the value of solidarity, love, and concern for our fellow man."

Finally, when asked what message he wanted to send after what he had gone through, he stated, "Nothing is certain. Nothing is permanent. You never know "what the hell is going on." Everything can be turned upside down at any time. We must all be prepared for anything."