Turks open fire on Turkish Cypriot at Pergamos

By a Staff Reporter

TURKISH Cypriot ‘police’ yesterday opened fire on a 24-year-old Turkish Cypriot grocer after he tried to cross to the occupied areas through the village of Pergamos in the Larnaca district.

Mehmet El Mas escaped unhurt.

Mas has been living in the government-controlled areas since 2000 when he left the occupied north with his family.

On Thursday night after a drinking with friends in the mixed village of Pyla, Mas tried to cross to the north through Pergamos.

Reports said the 24-year-old was outraged because he had not been allowed to visit his relatives in the north since moving to the south.

He approached the checkpoint but the two guards there reportedly refused entry since he had a ‘Greek Cypriot’ passport.

Mas insisted and crashed into the steel bar blocking the road.

The two guards then reportedly opened fired against Mas who sped off and abandoned the scene.

He was not hurt, though his car was riddled with dozens of bullets.

Mas said he would appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey.

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