An unprecedented incident at the Limassol permanent criminal court occurred on Friday when a convicted man physically attacked a representative of the prosecuting authority immediately after his sentence was announced.

The man, sentenced to four years in prison for kidnapping a woman, erupted violently as he left the bench and punched the prosecutor in the face.

Although escorted by police during his trial, the attack was not prevented as police were reportedly taken by surprise.

The man was quickly restrained by police, while the prosecutor sustained facial injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Attorney-general George Savvides “unequivocally condemned” the incident, and instructed police-chief Themistos Arnaoutis to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances.

Attorney-general George Savvides “unequivocally condemned” the incident and instructed police chief Themistos Arnaoutis to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances.

Later in the day, Savvides met Arnaoutis and Justice Minister Costas Fitiris at the legal service to discuss the safety of state officials.

“I want to unequivocally condemn this cowardly attack on an officer of the law, a colleague of mine, a prosecutor,” Savvides said.

He noted that this was the third attack targeting a legal service official in recent times, following a bomb attack and an arson incident in Paphos.

“Things are not going well; it seems that our society is not doing well,” Savvides said, stressing the seriousness of the incident.

He added that Arnaoutis had been instructed to complete the case file and submit it to the legal service as soon as possible, expressing expectation that it would be ready by Monday.

“It is time for the state to address the serious issue of the safety of public prosecutors, who are being targeted simply for doing their jobs,” Savvides said.

The Supreme Court also condemned the attack.