JUSTICE Minister Sophocles Sophocleous vowed during a meeting yesterday to crack down on law-breakers, especially youth, in Ayia Napa by arresting anyone who is uncontrollably drunk, using drugs, or driving recklessly.
There has been an outcry to clamp down on hooliganism in the wake of last week’s death in Protaras of Christos Michalakis Papiris, 17, killed when four British tourists allegedly deliberately rammed the moped on which Papiris was riding pillion.
Sophocleous said that night spots and recreation centres frequently allow underage youth to enter their clubs and drink alcoholic beverages and also stay open beyond the hour they are required by law to close by.
According to reports, the tourists, who were seeking revenge after one of their friends was hospitalised after a nightclub brawl, set off to target any Greek Cypriots they came across. Police say Papiris had not been at the club where the brawl broke out.
Sophocleous met at the Aeneas hotel in Ayia Napa with the mayors of Paralimni, Ayia Napa and Deryneia, MPs from the Famagusta District, and representatives from the police, fire department, Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the tourism industry.
Sophocleous said he gave “clear, specific, and public” orders to the police, which he said must not shy away from their responsibilities.
Sophocleous said it was common to see young people on the streets of Ayia Napa who were uncontrollably drunk, using drugs, or driving recklessly. The Justice Minister vowed that anyone – local or foreigner – sighted in such a state would be instantly arrested to ensure the safety of the public.
“Young people breaking the law is a topic that has escaped us, a problem that plagues all of Cyprus… [We see] young people’s lives erased and lost on the roads, underage youth using mopeds and cars, behaving in a way that does not harmonise with culture but rather creates a picture of anarchy,” Sophocleous said.
“We must neither participate in nor close our eyes to these phenomena, new to Cyprus.”
The police responded by claiming it possesses both the staff and will to reduce crime on the streets of Ayia Napa.
“The belts will tighten for everybody,” said Famagusta Divisional Commander Andreas Paphitis.
