Rauf Denktaş

Trained in law in London, Rauf Denktaş was a lawyer and prosecutor for the Turkish Cypriots. For decades he represented the community in negotiations and in 1975 became president of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus.

On 15 November 1983 the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was proclaimed with Denktaş as president. He held the office until 2005, when he did not stand again, and died in 2012.