Cyprus police have arrested 13 people after a march against migrants and refugees in the city of Limassol turned violent, resulting in injuries and property damage. About 500 people participated in the march, during which rubbish bins were set on fire, and some shops were vandalized. Witnesses reported attacks on foreigners during the protest.
Police deployed water cannons to disperse the protesters, some of whom wore hoods and carried a banner reading “Refugees not welcome.” The violence occurred just days after about 20 people were arrested during clashes between Cypriots and migrants and refugees near the western resort of Paphos, where authorities were removing Syrians from a condemned apartment complex.
Video footage on social media showed Greek Cypriots chanting “Get out, get out” during the demonstration. The violence escalated when Greek Cypriots confronted a group of Syrians. After approximately 500 Syrians held a peaceful counterprotest, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse both sides.
Cyprus, an EU member, is considered a “front-line country” on the Mediterranean migrant route, facing challenges in managing an influx of undocumented migrants and refugees. It has the highest number of first-time asylum applications relative to its population in the EU.
Overcrowded refugee camps and impoverished living conditions are prevalent on the island. President Nikos Christodoulides held an emergency meeting to address the unrest, expressing disappointment in the violent incidents and emphasizing that they insult the country.
In the past 16 years, 413 racist attacks and incidents have been taken to court in the Greek Cypriot administration, with 125 cases related to these matters still pending in the courts.
While the number of asylum applications dropped by 53 percent over a recent five-month period, police data shows an increase in migrants and refugees arriving by sea, primarily from Syria.
