Police investigations so far do not indicate that the serious injury of a 47-year-old Turkish Cypriot in central Ayia Napa in the early hours of Sunday was an incident of hate or hostility towards the Turkish Cypriot community. The attack is the third violent incident in the resort town in less than a month.
Argument preceded the attack
Although attempts were made in the north to give the incident a different dimension, examinations by Famagusta CIDinvestigators indicate that an intense argument, for reasons under investigation, had preceded the attack between the injured man and the three suspects arrested. The suspects are all 18 years old, holders of Swedish passports, originating from Albania, Chile and Iraq.
The three were tourists in Cyprus and were scheduled to depart the island on Monday. All were brought before the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni for remand orders. They are being investigated for the offence of causing grievous bodily harm. A fourth person, who has been identified, is still wanted in connection with the case, while examinations continue to fully establish the motives behind the attack.
Victim in serious but stable condition
Around 6am, acting on information, police officers located the 47-year-old injured on Agias Mavris Street. He was taken to Famagusta General Hospital, where he was found to have a brain haemorrhage and a fractured skull base. Due to the severity of his condition, he was intubated and transferred to Nicosia General Hospital, where he remains for treatment. Doctors describe his condition as serious but stable. Police have secured testimony according to which the 47-year-old was allegedly attacked by a group of persons.
Reactions in the north
The case has received wide coverage in the Turkish Cypriot press, with Tufan Erhurman calling for a full investigation. "We are closely monitoring the health condition of our compatriot and the legal process concerning the incident. We will continue to inform the public of any new developments. I wish a speedy recovery to our injured compatriot and extend my wishes to his family," he said in a statement. The Turkish Cypriot leader added that upon learning of the attack, his side contacted the competent bicommunal committee, the "authorities" in the north and the relevant officials of the Republic of Cyprus.
The so-called prime minister Unal Ustel went further, saying that if it is established that ethnic hatred or hostility towards the Turkish Cypriot community lies behind the attack, it cannot be treated as a simple individual crime. "Such a case would constitute a serious hate crime directed against social peace, the will for coexistence and humanitarian values," he stated, adding that the Turkish Cypriot people are not unprotected.
Third violent incident in under a month
The attack is causing serious concern among local and security authorities, at the height of the tourist season. In the early hours of 17 June, a brawl broke out outside a nightclub on Louka Louka Street, where two young Israelis clashed with a Greek Cypriot. Two Cypriot security guards intervened to separate those involved. At some point, one of the Israelis, aged 21, drew a knife and injured the Greek Cypriot as well as both security guards. All three were taken to hospital, with one of the guards undergoing surgery. The two Israelis were remanded in custody to facilitate investigations.
Days later, a video circulated online by British streamer Harrison Sullivan showed a new violent street brawl in Ayia Napa, with scenes of violence and tension causing renewed alarm.
