More arrests for Chlorakas riots (Updated)

Further arrests have followed rioting in Chlorakas between Greek Cypriot far-right assailants and migrants, who had their homes, businesses and cars destroyed in two days of clashes.

On Wednesday morning Paphos police said a Greek Cypriot and six foreigners were arrested overnight in the Chlorakas area.

Later in the day it emerged that a 47-year-old Syrian man, who had sat in a meeting with Justice Minister Anna Procopiou and the police chief on Monday night had also been arrested after he tested positive in a narcotest.

Earlier on Monday, he had been filmed on camera saying the migrants “would turn Paphos upside down” and was arrested.

Later that evening after going viral on social media, he spoke on camera and apologised, attributing his verbal assault to stress and anxiety from the volatile situation.

On Wednesday, the court announced that the man is in custody and that they would make a decision on Thursday about whether to remand him.

According to Paphos police spokesman Michalis Nicolaou, the police filed a case for various offences against the 47-year-old.

The 47-year-old remains in custody for two other cases related to the offences of publishing fake news, inciting violence, incitement to commit a criminal offence, as well as a case of theft and receiving stolen property.

The area has become a hotbed over the past few days with violent clashes and attacks on migrants, their businesses and cars.

Earlier in the day, Nicolaou said officers arrested a 34-year-old Greek Cypriot on suspicion of taking part in the rioting over the past two days, uploading fake news and uploading a video inciting violence.

A 29-year-old was also arrested and among the rioters. He is a foreigner, who is suspected of rioting, causing damage to property and possessing assault weapons.

Nicolaou added that the situation in Chlorakas on Tuesday night was peaceful in terms of rioting, but the police upped its police presence in the area and arrested another five people for various crimes.

Three people were arrested for carrying knives, another for narcotics possession, and yet another for possessing a firework.

Police said that these five were all foreigners.

Specifically, a 20-year-old woman was arrested for possession of a small amount of drugs, a 23-year-old woman for possession of offensive weapons (knife and brass knuckles), a 21-year-old man for possession of a knife, a 23-year-old man for possession of knives and a metal pipe, and a 25-year-old man for illegal possession of firework.

All those arrested, except the 23-year-old, were charged in writing and released. The 23-year-old remains in custody to facilitate investigations.

Nicolaou added that police are continuing to stay in the area to keep the peace.

Most people in the area are afraid following the rioting that occurred in the area, which led to many migrants being targeted.

On Tuesday, Cyprus’ two largest political parties further condemned the violence in Chlorakas after a second night of clashes between Greek Cypriots and migrants, as Akel argued the government has a duty to ensure the safety of all residents in the Paphos village.

Sixteen people were remanded in police custody for eight days by Paphos district court on Tuesday following their involvement in the violent incidents seen in Chlorakas on Sunday and Monday two nights.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday authorities reported that a notorious apartment complex, where migrants were squatting, was full of mostly individuals that were legally allowed to be in the Republic of Cyprus.

Out of 221 people that had been recorded in the Ayios Nikolaos Apartment complex in Chlorakas, the civil registry and migration department said that 219 were legally residing in Cyprus.