Aleksandros Hacopulos (1911-1980) was a politician, educator, economis and a member of Turkish Grand National Assembly of Greek origin.

Early life and education

He was born on 21 May 1911 to a prominent Phanariote Greek banking family in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. A relative of him, John Cyriaco Hacopulos served as mayor of Princes' Islands in 1890s. His family also owned famous Hazzopulo Passage in the

Beyoğlu Beyoğlu (, ota, بك‌اوغلی, script=Arab) is a district on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city (historic peninsula of Constantinople) by the Golden Horn. It was known as the region of Pera (Πέρα, meani ...

(Pera) neighborhood. His father's name was Constantine and mother's name was Euthymia. Alexandros completed his basic education at Fener Maraşlı Greek Primary School. He got his second education at Phanar Greek Orthodox College. He graduated from Istanbul Higher School of Economics and Commerce (part of modern Marmara University), completing the fields of mathematics, banking and insurance. Hacopulos, started teaching at Phanar College in 1934, later worked as a teacher in economics and finance classes at Zografeion Lyceum and Zappeion High School for Girls in 1946, and as a principal at the same school. In the meantime, he completed his military service as a private in Haydarpaşa Military Hospital in 1936 and was discharged in 1937. In May 1941, he was conscripted for the second time in

The Twenty Classes The incident of the Twenty Classes ( Turkish: ''Yirmi Kur'a Nafıa Askerleri'', literally: "Soldiers for Public works by drawing of twenty lots", or ''Yirmi Kur'a İhtiyatlar Olayı'', Ayşe Hür"'Türk Schindleri' efsaneleri", ''Taraf'', December ...

, which was formed from non-Muslims during World War II. After completing this service, he was discharged in 1942.

Political career

While he was working as a principal at Zappeion High School since 1946, he was elected as Istanbul Deputy from the Democrat Party in

1954 Turkish general election General elections were held in Turkey on 2 May 1954. The electoral system used was the multiple non-transferable vote. The result was a landslide victory for the Democrat Party, which won 503 of the 541 seats. Voter turnout was 88.6%. Results ...

. Hacopulos received his mandate on 5 May 1954 and joined the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 14 May 1954. He spoke against Istanbul Pogrom in the Grand Assembly, protesting how law enforcement didn't handle violence against Greeks, also criticizing CHP for not returning Wealth Tax money. He was elected again in

1957 Turkish general election General elections were held in Turkey on 27 October 1957. The electoral system used was the multiple non-transferable vote, with each electoral district electing an average of nine members. The result was a victory for the Democrat Party, which ...

3 years later, from the same party. He was an intermediary between Greece and Turkey on solving the

Cyprus dispute The Cyprus problem, also known as the Cyprus dispute, Cyprus issue, Cyprus question or Cyprus conflict, is an ongoing dispute between Greek Cypriots in the south and Turkish Cypriots in the north. Initially, with the Modern history of Cyprus#In ...

. After

1960 Turkish coup d'état The 1960 Turkish coup d'état ( tr, 27 Mayıs Darbesi) was the first Turkish coup d'état, coup d'état in the Turkey, Republic of Turkey. It took place on May 27, 1960. The coup was staged by a group of 38 young Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish m ...

, he was arrested and taken to Yassıada. Here he was tried and acquitted by the Supreme Court of Justice for violating the Constitution. In addition, although the Yassıada Court opened a separate lawsuit for the illegitimate acquisition of wealth, after the investigation, he was acquitted from this lawsuit as well and the injunction on his properties was lifted. He was released on 15 September 1961 and left politics. He moved to Athens in 1978 and died there on 27 March 1980.

Personal life

He was married to Zoe Hacopulos without any issue. He spoke Greek,

Turkish Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and mi ...

and

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hacopulos, Aleksandros Greeks in Turkey 1980 deaths 1911 births Democrat Party (Turkey, 1946–1961) politicians Politicians from Istanbul Turkish emigrants to Greece