Man cuts himself in benefit protest

A MAN stormed into the headquarters of the Welfare Services in the capital yesterday, causing havoc and spilling blood throughout the offices after cutting himself with glass in protest over low benefits offered by the state.

The 53-year-old Cypriot went up to the fourth floor of the building on Prodromos Avenue at around 9.45am, where he began shouting at the ten staff members present. He proceeded to throw items off desks and cause havoc, shouting that asylum seekers were getting more benefits than he was. The man is currently entitled to disabled benefits.

A member of staff gave him a glass of water in an effort to calm his nerves. He broke the glass, using the shards to cut the inside of his arms.

According to one witness, blood spurted out all over the desks of officials, soaking files and covering the hallway.

“There was a lot of blood, everywhere. Files were destroyed, blood was in the halls. There was panic. It’s tragic really, he was like a raging bull. The staff were really shaken up,” said one official. “It happens from time to time but not to that extent,” he added.

Apart from knocking down library shelves, throwing papers, turning over desks and breaking items, the man also threatened to injure members of staff.

Police arrived at the scene to take statements, while the man was taken to Nicosia General Hospital where he was treated and released. The 54-year-old was charged in writing for causing damage, threatening violence and trespassing, and later released.

Labour Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous and her permanent secretary turned up at the offices soon after to hold a meeting and express their support to staff.

Head of the Benefits Service on the fourth floor, Eftychios Hadjichristofi, said the meeting with the minister discussed possible security measures to ensure the safety of employees, who often face attacks at their workplace.

Two options discussed were getting police help to beef up security or else hire the services of a private security firm, which will staff all welfare service offices in Cyprus.

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