Ukrainian woman pleads not guilty in knife incident

A 55-year-old Ukrainian woman accused of brandishing a knife at a demonstration by Russian activists pleaded not guilty to charges of carrying a weapon to cause terror, and drunkenness before the Larnaca district court on Wednesday morning.

The woman was not placed into custody after the first hearing on September 19, as she made the €2,000 bail. 

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday, Larnaca police spokesperson Haris Hadjiyiasemi said the woman also faces charges of disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and carrying a knife outside the home. 

The court case is centred on an incident which broke out on the evening of August 22, when she approached a group of about 20 people celebrating Russia’s flag day. 

Videos circulated on social media appeared to show the woman holding a knife and staggering towards the small group gathered there. 

During her first hearing in September, protesters gathered outside the court and urged the authorities not to focus on an alleged intent to terrorise. They carried placards reading ‘No to War’.