Filenews 29 August 2023
The message that "peace and security in the region will not be allowed to be disturbed was sent by the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic, after the meeting of the President of the Republic on Chlorakas.
He clarified that "incidents between foreigners and Cypriots have not taken place, these were avoided and this was a great success," adding that "what happened is that after it (the demonstration) was dispersed, some masked men with clubs and other objects infiltrated these events." He stressed that "the police, the government, the state will enforce law and order."
The statement in its entirety:
The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, chaired today, at the Presidential Palace, a meeting on the incidents in Chloraka, with the participation of the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Chief of Police, the Commander of the Cyprus Police Service and the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic.
After the meeting, the Director of the President's Press Office, Mr. Victor Papadopoulos, told reporters that during the meeting "the President of the Republic was thoroughly informed in person about last night's incidents in Chloraka.
The President of the Republic was kept informed throughout last night and has now been informed of all events in person. They discussed with the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Chief of Police and the Commander of the Cyprus Police Service the operational plan that exists to maintain security and calm in the area.
The President of the Republic gave orders to ensure what should be done, security in the region in all the ways available to the state."
He added that "you have witnessed the fact that the Government from the day it took over is addressing the migration issue, the issue of irregular migration, in all ways. Arrivals have halved, refunds have increased, applications have doubled.
For the specific issue of Chloraka and the specific premises, decisions of the Council of Ministers have been taken and executed to the letter. By the end of the week, which has been set and a deadline of 1 September, this matter will also be completed. Everything that needs to be done is being done. The official state does what needs to be done."
Asked if policing in the area is expected to increase, Papadopoulos said that "there is planning, the police are and will be in the area, we hope that nothing else will happen. And our plea is not to do anything else."
Asked if additional measures are being considered after yesterday's incidents, Papadopoulos said that "incidents between foreigners and Cypriots have not taken place, these were avoided and this was a great success. What happened is that after it broke up, some masked men with clubs and other objects infiltrated these events. The police, the government, the state will enforce law and order."
To a question, he said that "from the first moment both the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police were there and despite the protests everything went smoothly to a certain point. After that point you witnessed what happened. Peace and security in the region will not be allowed to be disrupted."
He added that "arrests were made and all precautionary measures that needed to be taken were taken, as well as deterrent measures, and we will continue on this basis."
In a journalist's remark that a Syrian protester who tested positive for the narcotest was in negotiations with the Minister and the Chief of Police, Papadopoulos said that "he was not in the negotiations, he accompanied one of the Syrians at that time. From that time he was at the police station he was denounced for some other statements and posts and then arrested."
Finally, Papadopoulos noted that "those who have violated the law will face justice."
