National Guard probes second beating

THE NATIONAL Guard is, for the second time in a month, investigating the beating of a soldier, who needed hospital treatment in Paphos to recover from his injuries.

On Wednesday night, 19-year-old Nicolas Nicolaou was taken to casualty at Paphos General hospital suffering from injuries to the face and suspected fractures.

He claimed he had been the victim of an army beating by four or so fellow soldiers.

National Guard spokesman Andreas Harides yesterday dismissed any suggestion that the incident involved any kind of army punishment beatings, which are outlawed by the armed forces.

The soldier says he was beaten during a row between other National Guardsmen, but the army is treating his case as an isolated incident.

The army nevertheless vowed to find and punish the culprits.

Less than a month ago, another National Guardsman stationed in Paphos also received hospital treatment after being badly beaten by fellow soldiers.

Harides said those responsible for the first incident had been dealt with and received the appropriate punishment.

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