PHILELEFTHEROS “Court order barring fan from football grounds” A court order preventing a fan from entering sports grounds for one year was issued on Thursday by the Nicosia Court. The first ever such court order was given to Harris Iacovou, 21 from Zakaki, who was accused of hooliganism and attacking a policeman. Iacovou was fined £1,000 for assaulting the policeman and £200 for throwing an object onto the pitch. The judge said acts of hooliganism have increased over the past few years.
POLITIS “Summoned by the Auditor-general” An interrogation was due to be carried out at the Auditor-general’s office yesterday to seek answers from Nicos Vlittis and Andreas Kakoullis. The meeting is seen as extremely important and is expected to find a solution to the problem at the hand, concerning allegations that relatives of Vlittis had benefited from his position as Mayor of Paralimni in issues of planning permission.
ALITHIA “Journalists and cameramen make statements for Perdikis” Three Green Party activists yesterday gave statements at the Lycavitos Police station after they tore down three billboards with George Perdikis, to force the implementation of the law abolishing illegal billboards. Police spokesman Demetris Demetriou said the case was still being investigated and that they were expected to have statements by journalists and cameramen who were present at the scene, to give evidence as to whether Perdikis committed a criminal offense by violating private property, which is punishable by two years’ imprisonment. Demetriou added they would be asking the TV stations for the films that were taken of the activists removing the billboards.
HARAVGHI “EU sends clear message to Turkey” The government has expressed its satisfaction with the EU’s plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem. House Chairman Demetris Christofias outlined the positive aspect of Cyprus being among the 10 countries awaiting accession in May. He added that if a solution to the Cyprus problem was not found this would hinder Turkey’s accession to the EU. Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul stated Turkey would do all it could to help pave the way towards a solution.
SIMERINI “Market full of Turkish products” Consumers are upset at the number of companies selling products produced in Turkey or that have been smuggled from the north. Simerini contacted owners of shops to find out if they were selling Turkish products and they denied it. The Ministry of Commerce has stipulated that it is not against the law for Cyprus to import products from any country and that if they have been cleared through customs there is no problem. Only products imported through the north are barred from being sold in Cyprus.
KYPROS SIMERA “Earthquake coming to Limassol and Paphos” The Arabian plates are moving towards the north and this movement is made easier by the crack in the West that has been active for some time, causing major earthquakes that affect the Greek space towards the south. The Eurasia plates, which belong to Greece, Cyprus and Turkey are contracting and thought to be moving towards the African Plate at the speed of a couple of centimeters per year causing increased earthquake activity in the Mediterranean. We are expected to have an earthquake soon in Cyprus.
