THE EX-POLICEMAN on hunger strike in Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square since last Tuesday was rushed to hospital by ambulance yesterday after his condition seriously deteriorated. The 33-year-old man had been camping in the square in protest at what he described as abusive and unfair treatment by the police force.
Andreas Konstandinou’s physical health was deteriorating after six days of living off just water. His wife told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that he was so weakened by his ordeal that they had to call an ambulance. After receiving hospital treatment, Konstandinou was released and walked barefoot back to his makeshift camp since nobody was available to pick him up.
“Everyday people on the street ask about him and his plight. They show concern and ask us if we need any support. But not one of the many dignitaries that have come here to the square to celebrate the Radiomarathon have inquired as to his problem or cause,” said his wife. “I just can’t believe it and don’t understand why ordinary people care but nobody else who has the ability to do something about it.”
Konstandinou told the Cyprus Mail last week that he was protesting at what he said was his unfair dismissed by the police for “psychological problems” even though two medical reports confirmed that he was not suffering any such problems. He said that as a result he could not find a job anywhere and complained of police harassment after he took the issue to court.
Konstandinou has said he just wants to clear his name and get on with his life. His wife believes he is set on continuing with his hunger strike until action is taken to vindicate his name.
Police were yesterday unwilling to comment on the allegations.
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.
