Police sweep of Chlorakas

A police operation in Chlorakas resulted in 35 fines for traffic violations but none for violations of the interior ministry decree prohibiting the settlement of additional migrants in the community, police said on Saturday.

The sweep took place between 5pm and 11pm on Friday at a specific apartment complex in the Paphos village, a section of which is populated by asylum seekers.

Twenty apartments were checked, and police located five individuals who did not face any fines.

But during the sweep, officers also found a person who was wanted for assault and damages, and for illegally staying in the republic.

Police also issued 35 fines for traffic violations.

Regular operations have been carried out in Chlorakas since January after a brawl which led to several arrests and property damage.

Last week, the specific apartment complex was deemed unfit for habitation. Late in January, about 600 third-country nationals who live in a section of the complex, including Syrian refugee families, protested demanding for the water supply to be reconnected.

Residents of the area have also staged demonstrations over the random violence in the village, asking the state to implement the decree prohibiting additional asylum seekers from settling in the village.