Cyprus condemns vandalism at mosque

Limassol police are investigating an incident of vandalism at Koprulu mosque, after gasoline bombs were thrown at the building and graffiti found spray-painted on the outer fence.

According to local media, vandals targeted the Koprulu mosque in Limassol, with police saying the incident was estimated to have taken place between Sunday late night and Monday early morning.

Reports said a petrol bomb known as a Molotov cocktail and possibly firecrackers were thrown in the yard of the mosque, while a slogan was spray painted on the outer fence.

Officials from both communities in Cyprus were quick to condemn the attack, with President Nicos Anastasiades calling for an in-depth investigation and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci calling on authorities in the south to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.

In a written statement, government spokesperson Kyriacos Koushos said the government of Cyprus "condemns in the strongest possible terms the vandalism which took place at Korpulu mosque.”

"Such actions that are directed against places of worship are unacceptable regardless of where they come from," he added.

Religious leaders on the island, through the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process, also condemned the attack, saying they were horrified to see such acts of violence and expressions of islamophobia, xenophobia and discrimination.

“We stand against all actions that try to harm the multicultural character of Cyprus that we all try to maintain,” RTCYPP added.

Koushos said the President gave “clear instructions” from the beginning for an in-depth investigation and prosecution of the case.

Police told Knews on Tuesday that an investigation was underway regarding offences related to vandalism, clarifying that crimes pertaining to racism were not part of the initial investigation.