Nicosia, Cyprus. An investigation into complaints of alleged police brutality during an October 2025 Gaza protest has been completed, with a report expected to be submitted to the attorney-general next week, sources said.
Report to be submitted next week
Sources said the report is expected to be delivered to the office of the attorney-general next week. The investigation involved six complaints alleging police used inappropriate brutality towards protesters.
Oversight and potential next steps
The investigation was overseen by two investigators appointed by the independent authority for the investigation of allegations and complaints against the police. Sources said the attorney-general’s office will review the report and it could lead to further proceedings, though any subsequent actions have yet to be determined.
Context of the protest
The investigation relates to a protest held in Nicosia in 2025 following Israel’s interception of vessels sailing towards Gaza as part of the Gaza Sumud flotilla and the detention of their crews. Protesters accused police of sudden and brutal action and said the protest was peaceful.
Wider global protests and reported incident
The Nicosia protest was part of broader global demonstrations over the flotilla interception and detentions, with protests reported in cities including Barcelona, Dublin, Berlin, Istanbul, Buenos Aires and Karachi. Photographer Olympia Petrou, who attended the protest, said in an interview days afterward that she was directly hit with pepper spray.
What steps, if any, should follow after the attorney-general reviews the report?