Police bird-raid sparks massive brawl in Larnaca

LAST NIGHT a police raid for illegally poached Blackcaps turned into a mass brawl leaving ten people injured and six arrested in the village of Ayios Theodoros in  Larnaca.

The police raid occurred at around 7:20 pm when 30 officers from the Police Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) tried to search houses whose residents according to information were suspected of illegally poaching Blackcaps (ambelopoulia).

The residents took offence, and after a heated argument scuffles broke out.

According to the villagers, MMAD officers pulled out their batons and allegedly hit people. Soon the entire village gathered round and the scuffle escalated into a brawl which spilt into the village’s main square.

Larnaca press office reported that ten people were injured in the fighting while according to Larnaca hospital two people were treated with minor injuries.

Police arrested six people who were taken to the Kofinou police station. Several cars parked in the surrounding are were damaged.

Police Spokesman Michael Katsounotos said that he was unable to comment and that there would be a full statement released today after all the facts were gathered.

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