NICOSIA—On Sunday, the Cypriot Government condemned the Armenian genocide, reiterating its support towards efforts to have this crime recognised by the international community.

“On the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the Armenian genocide by the Neoturks, the Cypriot Government condemns the abhorrent crime which is a disgrace in the history of mankind” an announcement by the Presidency of the Republic says.

“The Government expresses feelings of solidarity and sympathy towards the Armenian people, and, at the same time, supports the efforts for the recognition of the genocide by the international community” it adds.

The Armenian genocide is estimated to have claimed the lives of 1.5 million people. The night of April 23-24, 1915 is often cited as the start of the genocide when 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were arrested in Constantinople. The date coincides with the ill-fated Gallipoli and Dardanelles campaign during World War I when the Allies tried to disrupt Ottoman shipping in the Sea of Marmara with the aim of taking Constantinople which at the time was the capital of the Ottoman Empire.