Violent anti-American rioting in front of the United States embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus on August 19, 1974
The assassination of US Ambassador Rodger Davies during anti-American riots in Nicosia marked a rare killing of a sitting American ambassador.
Key Facts
- Date
- August 19, 1974
- US Ambassador killed
- Rodger Davies, shot by EOKA-B snipers
- Also killed
- Embassy employee Antoinette Varnava
- Shooting distance
- Approximately 91 metres (100 yards)
- Context
- Days after second phase of Turkish invasion of Cyprus
- Prosecution outcome
- Six EOKA-B members arrested in 1977, never convicted
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The second phase of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus left Turkey controlling 36.5% of the island. Hundreds of Greek-Cypriots, frustrated by the United States' perceived failure to restrain Turkish forces and its alleged support for Turkey, gathered in protest outside the US embassy in Nicosia on August 19, 1974.
During violent anti-American rioting outside the US embassy in Nicosia, US Marines fired teargas and warning shots at protesters. EOKA-B snipers, positioned roughly 91 metres away, shot and killed US Ambassador Rodger Davies while he sought shelter inside the embassy. Embassy employee Antoinette Varnava, who rushed to his aid, was also killed by sniper fire.
The killings created a serious diplomatic incident between Cyprus and the United States. In February 1977, the Cypriot government arrested six EOKA-B members and brought charges for the assassination of Ambassador Davies, but none were ultimately convicted, leaving the case without a judicial resolution.