Filenews 7 February 2025 - by Ioanna Mantipia
Limassol is once again in the eye of the storm, in view of the two simultaneous and diametrically opposed demonstrations, which will take place today Friday (7/2), within walking distance of each other, putting the Police on high alert.
On the one hand, there is the gathering of ELAM, which protests against the "upsurge of crime by illegal immigrants", which is scheduled to take place in Grigoris Afxentiou Square, on Anexartisias Street, at 7 pm, while at the same time the antifascist movement Antifa has called on all antifascist forces in Cyprus to gather at the Limassol Molos. with the slogan "against fascism".
The fact that the two protests will take place simultaneously is deeply troubling, while at the same time raising serious questions about the process of approving demonstrations. Who will take responsibility if the situation gets out of hand?
The explosive situation is of great concern to the authorities, as the possibility of incidents is more than real, with the Cyprus Police Force being on full alert to maintain order and with the main aim of avoiding the worst-case scenario. The events that unfolded in September 2023 are still fresh in our memory, as within minutes, the mob of demonstrators protesting immigration unleashed indiscriminate attacks against citizens and foreigners, while the coastal front and the city center turned into a battlefield.
According to "F" information, meetings have been taking place at the Limassol Police Department for days, while a policing plan has been prepared. The same information states that the leaves of absence of the members of the Force have been limited, which will be placed at both points, while an action plan has already been drawn up. As always, a crisis centre will operate at the Limassol Police Authority. In fact, since yesterday the various departments have been given the relevant order of an operation.
All personnel of the Limassol Police Force will be on foot, while approximately 200 members of the Force have been recruited from various departments, including anti-riot teams, platoons of the Armed Forces from other districts and a team from the Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (E.A.O.), which will cover both points, namely the Administration Square and the Embankment. The protests will be monitored by police drones.
