TWO men arrested in connection with a hooligan assault at a Nicosia club were yesterday remanded in custody for four days, as police reviewed security camera footage in a bid to identify people who took part in the mob that injured five people and ransacked Scaraveos on Wednesday night.
The incident happened at around 11pm as Omonia supporters celebrated their team’s win in the cup final.
Presenting the two suspects — aged 24 and 26 — in court yesterday, police said some 200 people wearing Omonia colours and wielding clubs, iron bars and petrol bombs, ransacked the club’s yard and assaulted the owners.
The court heard that one of the owners said that a group of 15 fans had tried to enter the premises at around 10.50 pm but were held off with the help of staff and customers without incident.
Ten minutes later, the owner said, some 500 fans rushed the place.
The four owners and another man tried to protect the property – wearing motorcycle helmets and standing at the entrance — but were hit with various objects.
One of the assailants threw a petrol bomb at the feet of one of the owners, setting his legs on fire.
The owners and customers retreated inside the club where they locked themselves until the mob dispersed as police arrived on the scene.
Two of the five injured were still in serious condition and unable to talk to police, the court heard.
One suffered a deep contusion on his forehead, broken fingers and other minor injuries, while the other, sustained a broken thumb and had multiple hematomas. He was kept in hospital for heart tests as he may be suffering from bruising of the cardiac tissue.
One of the owners underwent microsurgery to reattach a severed finger.
Police arrested the two suspects on Thursday night after a tip off from an informant who saw the pair taking part in the incident, the court heard.
Police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said yesterday that the 26-year-old had received a suspended prison sentence in January for sport related violence. He was also banned from attending sports events for six months.
Initial information suggested the attack had been unprovoked though chatter from Omonia supporters suggested yesterday they responded after learning that their own had been attacked in the area by rival fans who may have also been members of nationalists ELAM.
They say celebrating supporters were attacked with stones near the club and had their flags snatched.
The news spread rapidly and dozens converged on Scaraveos in search of their rivals, smashing everything in sight.
