Turkish Cypriot shot in Limassol

A TURKISH Cypriot man living in Limassol survived a gun attack for the third time on Sunday.

The shooting took place at 2.15am on Sunday when an unknown assailant fired a shotgun at Kemal Mustafa Kasapoglou, 45, as he was opening his garden gate.

Kasapoglou, a butcher, was slightly injured to the right arm and right armpit and was discharged after receiving first aid at Limassol hospital.

Police said he had been the victim of a similar attack in July, again outside his home in Limassol’s Turkish Cypriot quarter, but that time with an automatic weapon. He was not hurt.

Kasapoglou escaped unhurt from a first attempt two years ago, again involving an automatic weapon.

His boat was also set alight several months ago.

Police have focused their investigations on the local underworld scene. The Turkish Cypriot has in the past been arrested on cannabis charges and is suspected of involvement in “feuds” with underworld figures.

Police said yesterday they were investigating whether Sunday’s attack might be connected to the Saturday arrest of another Limassol Turkish Cypriot on drug charges.

Kasapoglou, however, insisted that the attacks had political motives. He was unable to describe his assailants.