World News | Migrants' Rights Group Criticizes Cyprus Authorities for Not Condemning Bomb Attack on Its Offices
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. A migrants' rights organization on Thursday criticized authorities in Cyprus for failing to speak out against an explosion that damaged its offices following threats against it by what it calls far-right and extremist groups.
Nicosia (Cyprus), Jan 11 (AP) A migrants' rights organization on Thursday criticized authorities in Cyprus for failing to speak out against an explosion that damaged its offices following threats against it by what it calls far-right and extremist groups.
Doros Polycarpou, who heads the Movement for Equality, Support, Anti-Racism nongovernmental organization, said a makeshift explosive device detonated before dawn January 5 just outside his office, causing extensive damage.
Polycarpou said a security camera opposite the spot where the explosive was placed wasn't working because the power was inexplicably cut at the time, even though other establishments adjacent to the offices had electricity.
The human rights advocate said police didn't issue a statement on the bombing and no government authority condemned the action.
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A police spokesman told The Associated Press that police don't necessarily issue statements on all incidents or criminal acts, even if they involve explosives. He said the low-yield explosive shattered office windowpanes as well as the windows of adjacent homes and damaged a nearby car.
Both the European Network Against Racism and Amnesty International issued statements strongly condemning the bombing and urging Cypriot authorities to fully investigate the incident and protect activists.
Cyprus in recent years has seen a huge increase in migrant arrivals. That has raised tensions in some communities on the east Mediterranean island nation.
Last August, police arrested more than 20 people and used tear gas and a water cannon after a group of Greek Cypriots wearing hoods and brandishing sticks tried to attack Syrian migrants.
A few days later, 13 people were arrested after a mob smashed storefronts and set trash bins on fire during an anti-immigration march in the coastal resort city of Limassol. (AP)
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)