One more arrest for New Year incident in Sotira

Police in the Famagusta district arrested a 23-year-old on Wednesday in connection with rioting, arson and other crimes committed shortly after midnight on January 1 in Sotira.

This is the sixth arrest for the incident.

Three suspects aged 16, 17 and 21 were arrested by court order on Monday, charged and released pending their appearance in court.

Another two people, a 20-year-old and an 18-year-old, were arrested in connection with same case on Saturday. They were also released after they were charged.

Shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, police officers and firefighters went to an area where about 40 people had gathered who set fire to some mopeds.

Some of them had their faces covered with hoods, while others wore masks.

They allegedly threw stones at the officers and attacked them when they attempted to put out the fire.

A police officer fired a warning shot, forcing them to back off.

However, they continued to throw objects from a distance, slightly injuring one of the firefighters.