Ayia Napa, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot political figures have condemned the attack on a 47-year-old Turkish Cypriot man in Ayia Napa, who remains intubated at Nicosia general hospital following the assault. Reactions came from across the political spectrum in the north.
Contact with authorities
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said the Turkish Cypriot side moved swiftly to establish contact with relevant authorities following the attack.
According to reports from the occupied north, Erhurman said that from the moment they were informed of the incident, contacts had been made with the relevant bicommunal technical committee, the authorities in the north and officials of the Republic of Cyprus.
He also wished the injured man a speedy recovery and said the public would be informed if new information emerged regarding the case.
Calls for accountability
Prime minister Unal Ustel condemned the assault and said such attacks could not be tolerated.
“If nationalist hatred or hostility towards the Turkish Cypriot identity lies behind this attack, then this is not simply an isolated crime, but a very serious hate crime directed against social peace, the will for coexistence and human values,” Ustel said.
He added that the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus were expected to identify and bring those responsible to justice, and said the investigation should be conducted in a transparent and effective manner, without any attempt at a cover-up.
Further political reactions
Tourism minister Fikri Ataoglu also condemned the attack, saying it was unacceptable for a person to become the target of such a violent assault because of their identity, language or origin.
“This attack constitutes a serious threat not only to the individual concerned, but also to social peace and the culture of coexistence,” he said, while wishing the victim a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, People’s Party leader Kudret Ozersay expressed sorrow over the incident in a post on social media, noting that the victim’s condition remained serious.
