Organised crime in Cyprus and the escalation of violent incidents, following last Saturday’s clashes in Larnaca, Donald Trump’s invitation for a Gaza Peace Council, and the surge in influenza cases in Cyprus dominate today’s front pages of the Greek Cypriot press. Also featured are plans for the Central Prisons, the taxi strike, and a deadly railway accident in Spain.
Alithia, under the headline “Crime Spreads Panic”, writes in its lead story that the underworld has “put the state in a vice” and that developments show society is being held hostage as crime spirals out of control. Elsewhere, it reports five more influenza-related deaths in 48 hours, and refers to what it calls Cyprus’ “fantasies” about its geopolitical role following Trump’s invitation to the Gaza Board of Peace.
Politis, in its main headline “Risks Behind Trump’s Invitation”, writes that the government is ready to “step on a banana peel”, as Trump’s invitation is accompanied by binding documents that the Republic of Cyprus is being asked to sign, potentially placing it at odds with the UN. Elsewhere, it reports on five arrests made in connection with Saturday’s clashes in Larnaca and notes that Nikos Sykas has been definitively excluded from the DISY electoral ticket.
Phileleftheros, under the headline “Escalation of Violence by Crime Bosses”, writes about public fear caused by rival gangs controlling “protection” rackets for businesses. It also reports that influenza is “dominant”, with 12 deaths recorded so far this year, and refers to the new Justice Minister Costas Fytiris’ plans for the Central Prisons.
Haravgi, in its lead story titled “The Underworld Sells ‘Protection’…”, accuses the government of selling promises while proving incapable of tackling organised crime. It also highlights today’s 24-hour strike by urban taxi drivers and writes that dams are not filled by announcements, publishing AKEL’s questions to the government.
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the headline “Action Sought Over Rise in Organised Crime”, writes that police admit organised crime is not easy to tackle, following the Larnaca clashes. Elsewhere, it reports on the train collision in Spain that has killed at least 40 people so far, and on the discovery of a large colony of rare bats in a cave in the Troodos mountains.
The ruling of a Turkish criminal court in the case of the Isias Hotel in Adıyaman, allowing three convicted public officials to be released under restrictive conditions and dropping charges against three others, dominates the front pages of the Turkish Cypriot press. Coverage also includes statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman ahead of the visit to the island by the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.
Avrupa (Europe), under the headline “There Is No Justice in the TRNC”, writes about the disappointment felt by victims’ families after a Turkish court ordered the release of all six public officials held over the collapse of the Isias Hotel during the 2023 earthquake. Three of them had already been sentenced to 10 years in prison but will remain free under restrictive conditions. The paper also republishes an article from the Cyprus Mail on the Cyprus issue.
Halkın Sesi (Voice of the People), under the headline “Justice Also Died in Adıyaman”, writes that the court decision enraged families of the 2023 earthquake victims. It reports that charges against three suspects were dropped, while the remaining three were released under conditions. The head of the bar association, Hasan Esendağlı, said an appeal would be filed. The paper publishes a photo from a protest by victims’ families, while the head of the Angels Champions group, Ruşen Karakaya, said the ruling serves interests and that justice in Turkey “remained buried under the rubble”.
Kıbrıs (Cyprus), under the headline “Justice Was Not Served”, reports that the Adıyaman Criminal Court released three public officials already sentenced to 10 years each, triggering strong reactions in the north. Erhürman said in a social media post that the search for justice is not over, while ‘prime minister’ Ünal Üstel said the struggle for justice for the victims will never be abandoned. The paper also highlights Erhürman’s readiness to meet UN envoy Holguín and includes statements by President Nikos Christodoulides on her upcoming visit.
Yeni Düzen (New Order), under the headline “Damn Justice!”, highlights the anger of families of victims of the 2023 Isias Hotel collapse after the court decision to release the convicted officials under conditions. The newspaper describes the ruling as a “scandal”, while Ruşen Karakaya, head of the Angels Champions group and mother of a victim, said, “This is not over.” The paper publishes a photo from the protest held outside the courthouse.
Source: CNA