POLICE were yesterday accused of acting as if they were raiding a Taliban hideout instead of a village full of women and children in the Larnaca district where they had gone searching for poachers.
Police in turn accused the villagers of throwing rocks and stones, and using their wives and children as human shields during a brawl late on Wednesday between 90 officers from the Rapid Reaction Unit (MMAD) and half of the residents of Ayios Theodoros village.
Six people were arrested and ten were injured, among them two minors aged 14 and 15.
The two youngsters were injured enough to need medical attention at the Larnaca General Hospital.
According to police the six individuals aged between 15 and 53, who were arrested in Ayios Theodoros were charged at Kofinou police station with “causing riots, inciting attacks against members of the police, hindering police in the lawful execution of their duties, resisting the execution of legal warrants and for public swearing”.
The 15-year-old boy was released the same evening and the other five were freed yesterday after spending the night in jail and being charged before their release.
During the night-time operation, which extended to the village of Khirokitia, police clutching 28 search warrants for seven homes and two restaurants, seized 3,370 ambelopoulia, 13 mist nets, an illegal air gun, 462 lime sticks, two frozen rabbits and 424 other birds, some of which are considered to be protected species and whose possession is prohibited by law.
The trouble broke out when police tried to search the homes of people suspected of illegally poaching Blackcaps (ambelopoulia).
The residents took offence, and after a heated argument scuffles broke out.
According to the villagers, MMAD officers then pulled out their batons and allegedly started hitting people. Soon the entire village gathered round and the scuffle escalated into a brawl which spilt into the village’s main square.
President of the Community Board of Ayios Theodoros Lazaros Pieri who was present during the raid said yesterday: “We did not have rocks and sticks with us like the police have stated. They could have done the job discreetly. I wonder why police do not show similar enthusiasm for more serious problems such as traffic accidents, drugs, and prison conditions.”
Clearly riled, Pieri added: “They beat a 14-year-old baby, and when he complained they shoved his face in the dirt. The behaviour of the police was completely inappropriate.”
Larnaca MP George Tassou was also not impressed with the police actions. “Even children were hurt. They cannot use dictatorial measures like these against ordinary citizens, and on children,” he said.
Tassou also went on to say that citizens were told by police that Blackcaps were currently more expensive to purchase than marijuana on the island. In fact a dozen birds cost around €80, he said. This means the birds seized by police in Wednesday night’s operation a street value of over €22,000.
Speaking to Sigma TV yesterday, DISY MP Tasos Mitsopoulos also condemned police actions. “Violence just creates more violence and this phenomena does not fit into a modern European society. This was an operation fit for terrorists and not people in their homes,” Mitsopoulos said.
Responding to the comments made by Mitsopoulos, Police Spokesman Michael Katsounotos said yesterday: “The villagers attacked the police and not the other way around.”
He added: “If there was reprehensible conduct by members of the police then they must be reported to the Independent Authority for Investigation and Complaints, we would be glad to cooperate with any investigation.”
Katsounotos went on to say that Cyprus and the Cypriot police have long been accused by Europe of inaction in the fight against poaching and illegal game and that they were merely carrying out their duties.
Police say the residents did not allow officers to leave after the search, completely unnecessarily and without provocation” started throwing rocks at the officers, and used their children as human shields..
They said the officers had only used reasonable force in their efforts to defend themselves, and that reports painting a picture of “colonialism, the Turkish invasion or Afghanistan style operations” were completely out of context.
