The trial of two men arrested during Cyprus’s Independence Day parade has been scheduled for November 18 at the Nicosia District Court.
Giorgos Tattis and Oz Karahan were arrested while attempting to unfurl a banner near the officials’ stand during the parade. The banner, written in Greek, Turkish, and English, read “REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS: THE ONLY SOLUTION,” with a subtitle stating “APARTHEID IS NOT A SOLUTION.”
Defence lawyer Efstathios Efstathiou revealed that the defendants face charges including resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, and using abusive language.
The arrests have sparked controversy, with supporters gathering at the courthouse to express solidarity with the accused and protest their treatment. Among those present were political figures, including the President of the Green Party, Giorgos Perdikis, DIKO MP Christos Orfanides and EDEK party spokesperson Giorgos Georgiou.
After the case was filed, demonstrators displayed placards bearing the slogans from the contentious banner.
The two men were released a few hours after their arrest on the day of the parade.
