Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (18.05.16) reports that Baris Burcu. spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has condemned the attack against three Turkish Cypriots reportedly happened in the government-controlled area of Nicosia last weekend. In a written statement issued yesterday, Burcu said that on Sunday around 15.30 three Turkish Cypriots were attacked while waiting at traffic lights in Makariou Avenue by some Greek Cypriots riding bikes and holding the Greek flag and the flag of APOEL football club.
Recalling that such “unacceptable incidents” happened in the past as well, Burcu said that upon instructions by the Turkish Cypriot leader they asked by President Anastasiades through the Greek Cypriot Negotiator, Andreas Mavroyiannis the arrest and effective punishment of the perpetrators as well as the compensation of the damages which the Turkish Cypriots suffered.
Burcu noted that they have been told [by the officials of the Republic of Cyprus] that such attacks were made against Omonia football club’s supports as well, but they will do whatever they can for paying the damages of the Turkish Cypriots and protect their rights.
Burcu argued that the attack harms the negotiating process for solving the Cyprus problem and the mutual feeling of trust and should be condemned by both sides.
Meanwhile, commending on the issue, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, argued that they do not allege that all Greek Cypriots have the same views, but “it is a reality that there is a Greek Cypriot youth who is nourished and educated with enmity towards the Turkish Cypriots”.
He alleged that another reality is that the police and the authorities took absolutely no measure on the issue. He claimed: “The Turkish Cypriot people must know that there are some persons in south Cyprus who do not have friendly feelings towards them and form their future accordingly. We do not have the right to endanger our safety and future by acting as if these things do not exist”.