The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, spoke of shameful images, referring to the violent clashes that took place on Friday night in Limassol, noting that those who prove to be responsible will have to bear the financial cost of the damage they caused.
"There is not much that can be said, apart from the shameful images we saw", said the President, in a statement after a national memorial in Vavla village.
On Friday night, far-right anti-migrant protestors attacked migrants and broke shops in Limassol Molos area, which quickly turned into a war zone, with cars and motorbikes set on fire by the protestors.
The President called for a meeting at the Presidential Palace with all competent Ministers and other officials that began at 11.15 am.
Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, in the presence of the media, the President of the Republic was particularly acute saying that he feels ashamed of Friday's events and indicating that those who were responsible should also feel ashamed.
President Christodoulides added that the matter has nothing to do with the migration issue, adding that "the migration is not the problem and we know very well who are involved in this".
He pointed out that "we are not able to protect our citizens, we are not able to protect the tourists who come to this country".
Earlier, during his statement exiting the national memorial, the President emphasized that the incidents that occurred have nothing to do with dealing with migration. "If all those involved loved or cared about our country, they would not have carried out such actions that first and foremost insult our country", he said.
Reiterating that there are concrete results in these six months in dealing with migration, with a reduction of the number of migrants who come to Cyprus, more returns than those who arrive in the country, examination of 80% more applications, he noted that, as regards migration, "we have a specific plan. I can state today, knowing the meaning of every word I mention, that we will deal with migration", he underlined.
"So what we saw last night has nothing to do with migration and we should not confuse the two issues. It is a matter of public order", he noted.
Asked if he was happy with the Police's handling of the matter, the President replied that the Chief of Police, as well as those responsible for yesterday's operation, will be at the meeting today to inform him specifically what has been done.
Asked to say whether the government will support the people whose property was destroyed, the President indicated that the government will stand by them, but at the same time, he noted that there is provision in the law for "those who are responsible and have been arrested, if and as long as they are proven to be responsible, to bear the financial costs of their actions."
House President, Annita Demetriou, noted that the sad events in Limassol are a flagrant failure of legality against illegality.
Demetriou said that the dangerous and anarchic situation imposed by a few dozen hooligans and the inability to enforce order and security raise serious questions and great responsibilities.
She pointed out that all those who support racism, xenophobia, the use of violence against innocent citizens and the destruction of property with their positions and statements or their actions have very serious responsibilities.
"We will not allow our country to be handed over to chaos", she added.
According to the latest information by the police, 13 people have been arrested in relation to the events. Among them, the person who is said to be the organizer of the demonstration was arrested with a court warrant.
The police say that five persons reported that they were attacked, during the riots, by persons unknown to them, who beat them in various parts of their bodies. All were taken to Limassol General Hospital where they were given first aid and were then discharged.
Limassol mayor, Nicos Nicolaides, who visited on Saturday the place where the demonstration took place, said that the damages from the actions of "extreme criminal elements" are estimated at several thousand euros, noting that what Limassol has experienced "reaches the limits of fascism". At the same time, he called on competent authorities to exercise preventive and repressive control.
Source: Cyprus News Agency