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Drivers on Sunday, expecting a smooth ride home after the Limassol Marathon, instead found themselves stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Nicosia-Limassol highway. The cause? A large-scale protest by hunters, who blocked the road, set up chairs and grills, and roasted meat in a show of defiance over their demands for legislative changes.
The demonstration, which took place at the Skarinou section of the highway, not only disrupted traffic on one side but also forced police to shut down the opposite direction. Families on weekend outings and marathon spectators returning home were caught in hours-long delays.
“When some ‘hunters’ block a major highway on a Sunday afternoon to set up spits and tables, they are not protesting – they are depriving thousands of citizens their right to enjoy a family outing,”
Amid mounting frustration, President Nikos Christodoulides personally intervened to bring the protest to an end, promising to meet with representatives of the hunters' movement on Monday.
Hunters’ Demands and the President’s Response
The protest was organized by the United Cyprus Hunters Movement, which has been demanding changes to the legislative framework governing hunting regulations. Their key requests include:
- Electing the Chief of Hunting through a vote by licensed hunters
- Harsher penalties for poaching
- Stricter control over predator populations
- Clear rules on the commercial sale of game
- Regulation of photovoltaic farm development on state land
Following the President’s intervention, a five-member delegation from the hunters' movement is set to meet with him to discuss their concerns.
Backlash Over Protest Tactics
The dramatic nature of the protest, complete with open fires and makeshift roadside picnics, sparked strong reactions. DISY MP and Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, Nikos Tornaritis, slammed the hunters’ actions as “provocatively anti-social and unacceptable.” He also criticized the police for failing to manage the situation effectively, vowing to bring the matter before Parliament.
“When some ‘hunters’ block a major highway on a Sunday afternoon to set up spits and tables, they are not protesting – they are depriving thousands of citizens of their right to enjoy a family outing,” Tornaritis wrote on social media.
Police and Hunters Exchange Blame
The Cyprus Police, which deployed 125 officers to the scene, defended its handling of the protest. In a statement, they acknowledged that the demonstrators exceeded the agreed-upon timeframe and engaged in unapproved actions. However, they reiterated their commitment to respecting peaceful assembly while ensuring public order.
The hunters, in turn, rejected claims that they violated any agreements. In a fiery statement, they accused critics, including politicians and sections of the media, of distorting facts and suppressing their rights. They insisted they had coordinated with police throughout and vowed to escalate their protests if Monday’s meeting with the President does not yield satisfactory results.
What’s Next?
With tensions high, all eyes are now on Monday’s meeting at the Presidential Palace. Whether the government will meet the hunters’ demands or risk further disruptive protests remains to be seen. One thing is clear, Sunday’s demonstration made sure their message was heard loud and clear.
