Asylum seeker behind bars for multiple offences

An asylum seeker is facing multiple charges following his arrest, when he pulled a knife during an argument at Kofinou Reception Center.

According to CNA News Agency, a 51-year-old Kurdish male was in a state of drunkenness Thursday evening when he pulled a knife during an argument between a fellow resident asylee and a staff member.

The incident took place around around 7:20pm and police were then notified. During their attempt to arrest the suspect, the man bit a police sergeant on the hand according to CNA.

No information was released regarding the argument or the circumstances prior to the incident.

But police told Knews “the man was wasted.”

The suspect had also been involved in another incident earlier this summer, with police saying he was facing trial for “similar offenses” committed back June 1.

The suspect is facing charges ranging from possessing a weapon and holding a knife in a state of drunkenness to public intoxication, resisting arrest, and causing bodily harm.

It was not immediately clear how staff may have been involved with the suspect, but Knews understands there was a verbal exchange and an escalation between another asylee resident and a staff member before the suspect pulled a knife.

Police are treating the knife incident seriously and the suspect will remain behind bars in Nicosia Central Prison until his trial at the Larnaca District Court on November 5.