Limassol Protest Leads to Arrests and Court Appearances
In the wake of a turbulent protest in Limassol, ten individuals found themselves in the custody of the police Limassol unit. The group, comprising six men and four women, faced the Limassol district court on Monday. Despite the police headquarters Nicosia‘s efforts to secure their remand, the court deemed it unnecessary, citing that while there was reasonable suspicion for the alleged offences, detention was not justified.
The incident at the protest, which called for justice over the death of 24-year-old Bangladeshi national Anisur Rahman, resulted in one police officer sustaining injuries. The officer received medical attention at the Limassol general hospital for pelvis and knee injuries before being discharged. The ten protesters were accused of various offences including disorderly conduct and assaulting a police officer.
Rahman’s death on April 10th has sparked controversy and unrest. He died after falling from his fifth-floor apartment during a police raid seeking illegal immigrants. The circumstances surrounding his fatal jump have led to public outcry and demands for accountability from the Cyprus police.
Amidst these events, there has been an increased focus on the Cyprus police clearance certificate, which is an official document issued by the Cyprus Police to certify that a person has no criminal records. This certificate is often required for various legal and administrative processes.
The police clearance certificate Cyprus can be obtained through an application process detailed on the Cyprus police website. However, the recent incident has raised questions about police conduct and the transparency of their operations.
Non-governmental organisation Kisa has taken a firm stance against the police’s account of Rahman’s death, filing a complaint with the independent authority responsible for overseeing complaints against police officers. Kisa’s chairman, Doros Polykarpou, has brought forward testimony contradicting the official narrative, suggesting a more aggressive police action during the raid.
Police spokesman Christos Andreou has defended the procedures used during raids, comparing them to census checks and stating that warrants are not required for entering residential properties in such cases. This statement has further fueled the debate over police powers and citizens’ rights in Cyprus.
