Asylum status revoked for two men following assault on tourists in Nicosia

Two men were arrested in Nicosia following an assault on three Israeli tourists on Tuesday night near Thrakis Street and Kallipoleos Avenue. One of the victims sustained an ear injury requiring medical treatment. While early media reports identified the suspects as Palestinian, the Deputy Ministry of Migration, Nicholas Ioannides, officially clarified that the suspects are Syrian nationals. Following the incident, the Cypriot government initiated procedures to revoke the asylum status of both individuals. Minister Ioannides stated that the government maintains a strict policy regarding criminal behavior by international protection beneficiaries. This event occurs amidst ongoing government efforts to accelerate the return of Syrian asylum seekers following recent administrative court rulings. Authorities are currently investigating whether the attack was racially motivated.