Fewer than expected at memorial protest

AROUND 4,000 people, from all corners of the island, gathered outside the Presidential Palace last night demanding justice for the 13 killed during the naval base blast on July 11, some of them having marched from Eleftheria Square as part of the ‘Indignant’ group.

Organisers had hoped for as many as 15,000 to take part in last night’s protest to mark two months since the explosion.

“We’re here to replace the government,” said Alfredos Koutsios who had come from Limassol and said that he has been coming at least every 15 days since the protests began just days after the blast. 

Another man who had come from Limassol, Aristides Yiordamlis, has also been going regularly. “We’re trying with pressure to make Christofias go because pressure is the only way,” he said.

This time relatives of those killed took the microphone to vent their emotions.

Maria Irakleous, widow of the naval officer Michalis Irakleous killed in the explosions, referred to President Christofias’ appearance before the Mari inquiry last week. “When I asked if I could ask him a question he waggled his finger at me and said no,” Irakleous shouted into the crowd through the microphone, asking why she couldn’t know why her husband was killed. “I don’t want that useless man to ever waggle his finger at me [again],” she said.

Nicholas Lambrou, uncle of the commander of the naval base Lambros Lambrou thanked everyone for offering support and giving the victims’ relatives, strength.

Whispers ran through the crowd half way through the protest when chants were heard towards the back of the crowd as a small group of the right wing nationalist group ELAM approached. 

One protester was heard saying “it’s them again. They better not cause trouble now.” Around 30 members of the group roared “ELAM” over and over again as they marched towards the palace.