Nicholas Sampson; Cypriot Publisher Led Greek-Inspired Coup
Nicholas “Nicos” Sampson, 66, a Cypriot newspaper publisher who led a brief Greek-inspired coup in 1974 that prompted Turkish invasion of the Eastern Mediterranean island, died Wednesday in Nicosia, Cyprus, of cancer.
Known as the “eight-day president,” Sampson assumed power after the Greek-led Cypriot National Guard ousted Archbishop Makarios from power. But Sampson resigned when the Turks invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and Makarios later resumed the presidency.
The series of events ended in partition of Cyprus and the downfall of the military regime in Greece.
Sampson in 1976 pleaded guilty to carrying out warlike undertakings and usurping the office of the president. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against the state, but in 1979 was permitted to go to Paris for medical treatment. After 11 years in exile, Sampson returned to Cyprus and prison, but was released in 1993 because of ill health.
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