Police operations in Cyprus target illegal employment and address public disorder
Cypriot police conducted a series of operations across the country resulting in multiple arrests. In a nationwide crackdown on illegal employment, 47 people were arrested at 16 catering establishments, with employers facing fines totaling €195,000. Separately, in response to a violent brawl involving 15 to 20 people in Xylophagou on July 8, two Syrian men aged 24 and 26 were remanded in custody for six days by the Famagusta District Court, bringing total arrests in that case to five with five more individuals still being sought. The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection has ordered the revocation of subsidiary protection status for the suspects involved in the Xylophagou incident. Additionally, a nationwide police sweep resulted in four arrests for drug possession and drunk driving, 359 traffic violations, and the impoundment of 10 vehicles. Police checks also resulted in 12 reports from 59 inspected premises. Investigations remain ongoing across all active cases.