Anti-Migrant Protest: Over A Dozen Arrested In Cyprus

Cyprus Police have arrested 13 people after a march against migrants and refugees on the island’s second-largest city, Limassol, turned violent with mobs vandalising property.

Five people were injured during the unrest  after about 500 people took to the streets for the march, the police said.

Rubbish bins were set alight and some shops were vandalised, police said.

Witnesses quoted by Cypriot media outlets said some foreigners were attacked during the march.

Police used water cannon to disperse the protesters, some of them hooded and holding a banner that read “Refugees not welcome”.

The incident came days after about 20 people were arrested during violent clashes between Cypriots and migrants and refugees near the western resort of Paphos, where Authorities have started removing Syrians from a condemned apartment complex.

Video footage on social media showed a group of Greek Cypriots chanting “Get out, get out” during the demonstration. It turned violent, police said, when the Greek Cypriots came face-to-face with a group of Syrians.

The violence continued after about 500 Syrians held a peaceful counterprotest, according to police, who said they used tear gas and water cannon to disperse both sides.

ALJAZEERA