Police under fire for tardy response to Limassol violence (Update 2)

Both Akel and the Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides have criticised police for their handling of Friday’s racial violence in Limassol when shops were smashed, Molotov cocktails thrown, migrants chased and the city centre disintegrated into chaos.

“The competent agencies of the state must protect public safety and order, human lives and property in an active and effective manner, both on a preventive and active level,” said Nicolaides.

“If effective measures are not taken, the situation will become uncontrollable with dangerous and incalculable effects on social stability. This, as a society, we must never allow.”

Akel, meanwhile, pulled no punches and said the president and government were responsible for the scale of the violence.

“The government and the police bear inexcusable responsibilities and must be held accountable. Why did they allow these hooded groups to attack Cypriots and foreigners, to destroy and loot in the centre of Limassol? Why do they refuse to enforce laws against organised hate speech and incitement to violence that have poisoned society to explosive levels for days,” Akel said.

“The president and the government owe an answer to the public: will they continue to tolerate far-right violence, even for one more day? Mr President, it is your and your government’s responsibility to protect the lives and property of all citizens.”

Nicolaides, who visited the pier area where the greatest damage to properties and vehicles was recorded, said that “it is completely unacceptable for a modern city to be put under siege, to cause thousands of euros worth of damage to public and private property and to risk the loss of human lives.”

The mayor said that the damages resulting from the actions of “extremist criminal elements” are estimated to be in the thousands of euros, before stressing that Friday’s events “border on fascism”.

Municipal crews were working to clear up the destruction left by the violent mobs, and Nicolaides spoke with residents and business owners whose properties suffered damage.

“It is not acceptable for the public, whether Cypriots or foreigners, to feel exposed to any extremist criminal elements at any time,” he said, highlighting that Limassol is a multicultural city with many foreign residents.

The other political parties also condemned Friday’s violence.

In their statement, Edek called for the dissolution of organised football supporter clubs.

“These groups have become hubs for illegal activities, cultivating racist and fascist ideologies, promoting drug trafficking and usage, and resorting to violence as their primary mode of operation,” the party said.

Disy stated that serious responsibilities lie with all those who, through public statements and actions, “nurture xenophobia, racism, and the use of violence against innocent citizens, leading to property destruction”.

Diko said that that a “clear message must be sent to those promoting fascism and hatred”, saying that “their criminal behaviour hurts our nation, and there will be no tolerance from the state”.

Akel stressed that political forces promoting xenophobia and hatred shared a responsibility for Friday’s events.

“Equally culpable are the political forces that, for years now, but especially in recent days, engage in xenophobic rhetoric or hatred, providing excuses and encouraging and normalising the far-right,” the party said.

“Cyprus is at a critical juncture, and all must defend democratic principles and unity against fascism and uphold values of solidarity and humanity.”

Responding to a question about the planned protest on Saturday night, this time against fascist violence, the Limassol mayor said that “protests are within the framework of democratic dialogue when conducted within the boundaries of respect for opposing views, law, and order”.