13 detained in anti-immigrant riot in Cyprus

At least 13 people were detained in the southern city of Limassol after an anti-immigrant riot, with five people injured in clashes with anti-riot squads, according to Cyprus police. The police stated that the violent protest, which occurred on Friday, involved around 500 individuals and resulted in extensive property damage. The Fire Brigade was called to extinguish at least five fires started by rioters.

The authorities acknowledged that the police failed to contain the racist violence during an emergency meeting convened by President Nicos Christodoulides on Saturday morning. Christodoulides stated that the scenes witnessed were disgraceful and unrelated to immigration, emphasizing that the issue at hand was a matter of public order. He further noted that those found responsible would be held financially accountable for the damages caused.

The authorities decided to review and establish new operational procedures during the two-hour meeting, as an anti-fascist protest march is scheduled for Saturday evening by groups supportive of immigrants. Concerns were raised that extremist right-wing youths might attempt to attack the march.

The rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Cyprus currently stems from clashes between young Cypriots and hundreds of refugees who had occupied an abandoned tourist complex in Chlorakas, near the city of Paphos, on Monday. President Christodoulides informed that approximately 6,000 immigrants had arrived in Cyprus this year, half the number recorded during the same period last year. Additionally, there has been an increase in the repatriation of irregular immigrants.

Cyprus, with a population of about 1 million, has the highest ratio of immigrants relative to its population. Asylum seekers represent approximately 6 percent of the island’s population.