Georgios Grivas

According to the conventional interpretation of the events that transpired in 1973-1974, it was not the Polytechnic Uprising that actually precipitated the military dictatorship's downfall but the Turkish invasion of Cyprus eight months later, which was prompted by the overthrow of the Cypriot government of Archbishop Makarios III by Dimitrios Ioannidis' regime in Athens.

Greek authorities announced the decision on Monday

Cyprus on Monday marked the 45th anniversary of an Athens-backed military coup with a memorial service for those killed at a church in Nicosia. The July 15, 1974, coup was followed by the Turkish invasion five days later. [EPA]