Nine Lankans arrested in Cyprus

9 January 2011 08:45 am Views - 5997

Cyprus police have arrested nine Sri Lankans in connection with the violent clashes that took place on Thursday night in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Six were arrested on Friday afternoon, with a further three later on Friday night. All nine went to Nicosia district court and have been remanded in custody for six days.

Three people were hospitalized after the clashes, with two head injuries and one hand injury.

A police spokesperson said that they did not plan to make any further arrests over the violence, which reportedly involved around 20 individuals.  However the causes of the incident are still under investigation.

Thursday’s clash in Ayios Dhometios involved 20 people, believed to be foreigners, wielding swords, bats and Molotov bombs, one of which was thrown into a house, causing it to erupt in flames. A car windshield was also smashed.

Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said: "Such behaviour will not be tolerated... Those who are being hosted on the soil of the Republic of Cyprus have a legal obligation to comply with the rules and the laws of the state that hosts them." (Source :Cyprus Mail)