The traffic is running smoothly on the main roads according to the Police. As reported to CNA by the Press Office of the Police Headquarters, increased traffic to urban centers is expected to occur in the afternoon hours of Monday during the return of tourists. The police are appealing to drivers to be particularly careful … Read more
France appears more divided than ever after the European election results, which saw Marine Le Pen’s National Rally secure the top spot, relegating Emmanuel Macron’s party to third place. This outcome forced the French president to call for early elections. The discontent with Macron is evident. Despite giving a vote of confidence to Marine Le … Read more
705,357 registered voters in Cyprus will be able to choose from over 7,000 candidates in elections for members of the European Parliament and local administration.
Fact: A car fire in the area of Koutrafa resulted in the closure of the Nicosia-Troodos Road for traffic on Sunday. No injuries resulted from the fire.
Thirteen migrants, including unaccompanied children, are now stranded in the buffer zone between Aglantzia and Geri, in addition to the 14 who have been living in tents for the past two weeks. The total number of migrants is now 27. Despite expressing their desire to apply for asylum, the migrants remain trapped in the buffer zone. The UNHCR is providing food, water, hygiene products, and clothing, but the asylum seekers are living in tents and exposed to extreme weather conditions. The Republic of Cyprus is working with relevant ministries and the UN peacekeeping force to address the needs of the migrants.
A drug squad officer has been found guilty of causing a road death in Larnaca district court. The accident occurred on January 16, 2022, in Ayia Anna village, resulting in the death of 70-year-old Alain Merhege, a French national. Witnesses stated that the officer had been speeding at the time of the incident. The officer was convicted of causing death by a reckless act, which could lead to up to four years in jail. The court found the officer’s testimony lacking credibility.
Anisur Rahman, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi national, died on April 10 after jumping off a fifth-floor balcony during a police raid on the Limassol apartment he was living in with 10 other individuals. The ombudswoman’s independent investigation into his death has been put on hold as the police file was denied to her and is being investigated by an independent authority following a complaint by Kisa NGO. The other individuals found living in Cyprus illegally are detained for possible witness testimony. The landlord of the apartment where Rahman lived has not been found at fault and other tenants continue to live there. Rahman’s death sparked protests in Limassol and Nicosia against racism faced by third-country nationals in Cyprus.
The investigation by the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) into Makarios Drousiotis’ book “Mafia State” intensified with a hearing focused on the chapter “A Spy in the Palm of My Hand.” Drousiotis presented evidence of being surveilled through electronic devices, raising questions about potential police involvement. The book details his experience of approaching the police with suspicions of being monitored through malware. The investigation also looks into the events surrounding Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev’s divorce in Cyprus, alleging involvement of a law firm with ties to the former president, questionable legislative amendments, favorable court rulings, and suspicious financial transactions. Former President Nicos Anastasiades has denied all allegations. Gabrielle Louise McIntyre is leading the IAAC inspection team, with witness testimonies ongoing. Sophie in ‘t Veld warned in 2023 that individuals in public life are at risk of surveillance, emphasizing the importance of accountability in democracy.
During a mayoral debate in Limassol, a citizen complained to Mayor Nicos Nicolaides about the cleanliness of a plot of land, leading to a tense altercation outside the Laniteio Amphitheatre. Police intervened as the situation escalated, with reports of pushing and shoving among those present. An individual reported being punched by an unknown person, and the case is now under investigation by the Minor Offences Department of the Limassol Police Directorate.
The police branch of the independent union of public employees, Asdyk, expressed dissatisfaction with the finance ministry’s decision to calculate compensation for police officers working during the upcoming elections on June 9 based on the A3 civil service pay scale, which would result in lower payment for the officers.