Violent Clash Between Youths and Police on Holy Saturday
In a shocking outbreak of violence, police in Limassol clashed with a group of roughly 100 youths on the night of Holy Saturday. The confrontation escalated when officers resorted to using chemical dispersants to subdue the attackers who were armed with Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and stones. The incident occurred on Ypsonas to Erimi road, casting a shadow over the typically peaceful holiday celebrations.
The chaos began around 10:30 pm after authorities were alerted about masked youths targeting vehicles. Anti-riot units swiftly arrived at the scene, only to be greeted by an organized assault. The skirmish resulted in one police vehicle being completely destroyed and four others damaged. Despite the intensity of the attack and the poor lighting conditions, the perpetrators managed to escape. However, police recovered two bottles filled with flammable liquid near the destroyed vehicle, which are now being used as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The Cyprus Police Association has issued a stern condemnation of the violence, describing the assault on officers as “unacceptable.” The association has promised a “dynamic response” to such acts of aggression, underscoring the sentiment that “an attack on one officer is an attack on the entire police family.”
Earlier in the day, a related incident saw the arrest of an 18-year-old from Limassol after he was found in possession of 1,807 firecrackers during a traffic stop. The young man was arrested, charged, and later released pending his court appearance. This arrest highlights the heightened vigilance of the police during a period that has unfortunately been marred by
The community is now calling for calm and a return to order as investigations continue and authorities work to prevent any further incidents of this nature.
