Police will be held accountable no matter their ranking in the force’s hierarchy, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday.
He was speaking on CyBC’s morning radio, in response to questioning of the police’s handling of the recent racial attacks in Limassol and amid confirmed allegations that the police did not do enough to protect migrant business owners and other victims.
“The facts can show whether or not police succeeded and if they could have done better,” Letymbiotis said.
He went on to say that the state’s top priority is to de-escalate tensions and ensure public safety following a volatile situation, and to prevent future similar incidents.
“No one has been forbidden from speaking, no one has been advised to not take a position,” he said when he was asked to explain the public silence from police.
“If reports show police did not make effective use of information in their possession during the events in Limassol, they will be called to account, no matter how high up they are.”
The spokesman noted his strong belief that the episodes of last Friday do not represent the views of the broader public.
“The events the occurred, especially in Limassol, are not representative of the overwhelming majority of society,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Chlorakas where the first anti-migrant violence erupted last week, and in the greater vicinity, intensive police checks are ongoing, police said on Tuesday.
Police reported that overnight three drivers tested positive for alcohol and two others for drugs.
Six vehicles were impounded since their owners did not possess an MOT, insurance, or a driving licence.
According to Paphos police chief, Nikos Tsappis, an additional thirty drivers were booked for other traffic violations.
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