Turkish Cypriots demonstrate against Ankara's intervention

Thousands of Turkish Cypriots took the streets on Tuesday evening to demonstrate in favour of democracy and against Turkish interference in local affairs

Chanting ‘Ankara take your hands off us’, ‘democracy for all’, and ‘we won’t give in to pressure’, thousands of residents of the north gathered at Inonu square, with participants including the formed Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Tufan Erhurman, and Cemal Özyiğit, among other politicians.

Speakers at the demonstration took hits at the recent ‘elections’ that saw Ersin Tatar, whose positions are greatly aligned with those of Turkey, assume leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community.

They also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot community would not stand for Turkish intervention at any level, and defended their right to self-determination.

At the same time, the speakers said they do not position themselves against the Turkish people, who also suffer from anti-democratic practices and repression.

The protestors said that they would continue the struggle and gatherings.