Thirteen Detained Following Anti-Immigrant March in Cyprus, Resulting in Arson and Property Damage

43

Authorities in Cyprus have apprehended thirteen individuals in the aftermath of an anti-immigrant demonstration that escalated into violence, as protesters vandalized storefronts and set ablaze multiple trash bins in the coastal resort city of Limassol. The incident, which transpired on Friday night, involved approximately five hundred demonstrators partaking in the march.

Disturbingly, several individuals reported instances of assault during the demonstration, leading to their hospitalization for treatment. However, they were subsequently discharged from medical care. The police have not only arrested those responsible for the chaos but have also apprehended the purported organizer of the march.

Amateur video footage disseminated through local news outlets and online platforms captured the extent of the damage caused during the event. The footage showcased damaged storefronts, the smoldering debris of trash bins in the streets, and a group of participants chanting anti-immigrant slogans.

This incident unfolded merely four days subsequent to an episode in which a group of Greek Cypriots, concealing their identities with hoods and wielding bats, attempted to assault Syrian protesters in a small village already fraught with tensions between the native population and migrants.

In relation to the earlier event, law enforcement had taken into custody at least twenty-four individuals connected to the violence that erupted in the southeastern village of Chloraka. The area had been a focal point of confrontations, as roughly two hundred and fifty Syrian migrants and an equivalent number of Greek Cypriots engaged in parallel protests that regrettably escalated into clashes.

The underlying tensions have been exacerbated by the substantial influx of migrants into the East Mediterranean island nation, straining the capacity of the local authorities to manage the situation effectively. Official reports indicate that migrants now constitute approximately 6% of the nation’s population, a figure that significantly surpasses the average proportion found in other member nations of the European Union.

In response to the recent violence, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides decried the “images of shame” that had emerged, characterizing the perpetrators as petty criminals devoid of any genuine connection to the migration issue. He emphasized the need to distinguish between the acts of violence and the broader immigration situation. Christodoulides urged that if these individuals truly cared for their country, they would not have perpetrated actions that cast a dark shadow upon it.

President Christodoulides also revealed that over the past six months, the government had managed to curtail the number of migrant arrivals significantly and expedited asylum applications, demonstrating an 80% improvement in the process. Additionally, the government has pledged support to the affected store owners and has scheduled a meeting with law enforcement officials to analyze the details of the march.

Furthermore, another demonstration, this time advocating for immigrants, is scheduled to take place on Saturday evening.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Anti-immigrant protest

More about Anti-immigrant protest

• [Cyprus police arrest 13 after anti-immigrant marchers set fire to trash bins and damage storefronts](Provide the URL for the news article here)
• [Tensions rise in Cyprus village after clashes between Greek Cypriots and Syrians](Provide the URL for the related news article here)
• [Cyprus President discusses migrant situation and government actions](Provide the URL for the relevant information here)