Teenagers held for school arson attempt

FOUR teenagers were taken to court yesterday suspected of vandalism and trying to set fire to the third gymnasium in Engomi, Nicosia.

On Wednesday evening, police patrolling the school spotted several youths causing malicious damage and trying to set fire to classrooms.

When police officers moved in, the culprits got away except for one 15-year- old boy from Engomi, who was caught throwing stones at windows.

He named three others in a statement to police, saying their aim had been to burn down the school, which has been a target for vandals in the past.

After the pupil gave his statement, police arrested two boys from Strovolos and one girl from Nicosia, all aged 15.

Following the arrests, all four schoolchildren were taken to a Nicosia district court yesterday where they were remanded in police custody for one day.

Education Minister Ouranios Ioannides agreed yesterday that schools were unprotected, but said the cost of making them secure day and night was prohibitive.

“Our efforts are focused on persuading children that they have absolutely nothing to gain by destroying schools,” Ioannides told reporters.

“But I would say there are always a handful who ignore this message,” the minister added.

Nicosia CID are continuing their investigations.

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