Police in Paphos arrested a 44-year-old individual on Monday night to facilitate investigations into a case involving alleged racism, assault causing bodily harm, possession of weapons to cause terror, verbal abuse, and threats.
According to Assistant Police Operations Director in Paphos, Michalis Nicolaou, information was provided to the police yesterday that approximately 30-35 minors of Arab origin, residing in a Youth Shelter in Paphos, left on foot to protest at Kennedy Square commemorating the anniversary of the start of the civil war in Syria 13 years ago.
Members of the Paphos Police arrived at Kennedy Square, as stated by Nicolaou, and found these individuals protesting peacefully.
Over time, patrons of nearby establishments began to protest against their presence, leading to confrontations.
With police intervention, nothing too serious occurred, and the protesters dispersed, stated Mr. Nicolaou.
He mentioned that subsequently, the 44-year-old, who had previously protested against the presence of foreign individuals, allegedly attacked and verbally abused a 47-year-old foreign national, a permanent resident of Paphos, with racist remarks and also physically assaulted him, causing actual bodily harm.
The 44-year-old was immediately arrested by the attending police officers and subsequently detained, he added.
Furthermore, in a second incident, two minors residing in the Youth Shelter were arrested for offences of rioting and causing damage.
According to Nicolaou, after the protesters returned to the Youth Shelter, 10-15 of them are alleged to have rioted, wielding sticks and stones, causing damage to the facility’s premises.
The incident at the Youth Shelter ended with police intervention.
Regarding the second rioting incident, testimony was obtained against two individuals aged 15 and 16, who were arrested with judicial warrants and are currently in custody, Nicolaou said.
Investigations into the above cases are ongoing by the Paphos Police.
