Newsroom
A carnival celebration in Limassol took a dark turn Sunday when a group of masked individuals unfurled threatening banners from a bridge and staged mock hangings of prominent politicians.
The incident occurred during the height of the parade, with thousands of spectators gathered to enjoy the festivities. The group reportedly took advantage of the crowded, festive atmosphere to climb a central bridge and display a banner reading, “We will bury you at public expense.” Alongside the banner, the group placed mannequins depicting President Nikos Christodoulides, First Lady Filippa Karsera Christodoulides, former presidential office director Charalambos Charalambous and other political figures in a setup meant to resemble a hanging.
Video footage of the scene, obtained by local news outlet 24news and the column “Pistolero,” shows the alarming display and highlights the seriousness of the incident.
Police were alerted and responded quickly, removing the mannequins and the banner, which were taken as evidence for further investigation. Authorities are exploring all possible angles and attempting to identify the individuals involved, including the use of forensic analysis if any usable genetic material is found.
Officials say the incident has caused concern and raised questions about security during public events, especially when political messages cross the line into threats of violence. For many attendees, what started as a day of celebration suddenly became a tense and unsettling moment.
