Newsroom
What began as a peaceful show of solidarity outside Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry turned chaotic Thursday night, after demonstrators say police officers sprayed and beat them without provocation.
The protest, called on short notice after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla, drew dozens of citizens demanding the release and protection of the activists arrested at sea. Chants for an end to the war in Gaza and criticism of Cyprus’ stance filled the street as groups like United for Palestine and the Pancyprian Peace Council joined in.
According to organizers, police were not at the site when the demonstration started around 6:30 p.m. But minutes later, squads arrived and clashed with participants as the event was winding down. Video shared by protesters shows officers pushing into the crowd and spraying chemicals at demonstrators who appear to be standing calmly.
“This was a completely peaceful protest,” several citizens told local media, insisting there had been no violence from their side.
Police Headquarters, however, gave a different account. A spokesperson told the Cyprus News Agency the officers’ role was simply to regulate traffic. He said demonstrators stepped into the road, forcing police to block an additional lane “for the safety of themselves and others.” The road was reopened by 8 p.m., he added, though police remained as some protesters refused to leave.
The incident comes just two months after lawmakers passed a controversial bill regulating public assemblies. The OSCE criticized the law for giving “unclear reasons” to break up protests, warning it could restrict basic freedoms.
For many, Thursday’s scuffles added fuel to those concerns. Organizers are now questioning whether police acted within their mandate, or crossed a line into excessive force.
