Pafos Live 28 August 2023
Extensive incidents occur in Chloraka. Foreigners armed with clubs and knives smashed cars and property of Greek Cypriots in the community.
They claim it was retaliation for attacks on their compatriots during the afternoon protest.
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Main streets in the community of Chloraka were turned into a battlefield last night where serious incidents took place which resulted in the injury of a small number of locals and foreigners but also caused serious damage to shops, houses and cars belonging to both foreigners and locals.
All personnel were recalled at the Pafos Police Headquarters, while the Pafos Police Station was reinforced by squads of the Police Unit and members of the force from other districts. Police chief Stylianos Papatheodorou himself rushed to Paphos late last night.
The serious incidents actually began at the end of the protest event organized by the residents of Chloraka and neighboring communities on Eleftherias Street. Residents demanded an end to the uncontrolled settlement of foreigners, ghettoisation and delinquency" in recent months in the western low area of Pafos.
The residents of the communities of this area demand from the state to restore the sense of security of the residents that has been shaken due to the recent incidents created by perpetrators foreigners and victims Greek Cypriot residents.
They demanded the liquidation of ghettos throughout Cyprus and the immediate deportation of all illegal immigrants. The participants first gathered on Eleftherias Street and then marched to the "Agios Nikolaos" complex, where illegal squatters had been staying for months.
At one point, tension arose when foreigners who had climbed on the roofs of adjacent buildings made obscene gestures, according to residents, resulting in stones and other objects being thrown on either side. A police force monitoring the event intervened and prevented the incidents from spreading.
Subsequently, however, and while a large number of participants had left, groups of young rioters, some of whom had their faces covered, vandalized residences and premises where foreigners live in Chloraka. At the same time, in a short time, foreigners were organized, young Syrians, armed with sticks, shovels, knives and other objects damaged vehicles of unsuspecting passers-by and residents of Chloraka.
As soon as it spread that the Syrians had attacked Chloraka, youths from many areas of Pafos rushed to the area armed with crowbars and other objects, resulting in new damage, mainly to houses where refugees live, but also to their vehicles.
Police used tear gas to disperse the gatherings and since last night there have been arrests and arrests of suspects that are expected to continue today.
Filenews 28 August
Police have made four arrests so far this morning, two young Syrians and two young Greek Cypriots for last night's incidents in Chloraka.
According to police, eight complaints have been made so far, all from foreigners, about attacks on their vehicles, homes and shops.
It is noted that vehicles and residences of Greek Cypriots have been damaged, which may be reported today to the police.
