Pakistan’s government has requested information from Cyprus regarding the death of a 24-year-old Pakistani national during an incident in the Potamia area.
According to philenews sources, following public reports mentioning “murder”, the Pakistani government has asked Cyprus’s Foreign Ministry for details about the incident.
Official sources say that Nicosia will provide Islamabad with comprehensive details based on available evidence, aiming to prevent any misrepresentation of the actual events.
A clearer picture is expected to emerge once investigations are completed.
Pakistan currently holds a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Case background
The incident occurred near the buffer zone near Potamia. Initial police reports indicated the shooting occurred while officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be involved in a smuggling operation. However, forensic findings suggesting the man was shot in the back have raised questions and contradicted the initial police account.
Moreover, an initial autopsy of the man’s body ruled out foul play. A second autopsy, performed a few days later, found a 9mm bullet lodged in the man’s back. State coroner Dr Nicolas Charalambous who performed the fist autopsy has been suspended.
The victim’s body was found in a car parking in Strovolos, around 20 km away from Potamia. Questions remain on how it ended up there.
An independent investigator has been appointed to lead a criminal probe into the incident, aiming to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The killing has sparked outrage and condemnation by political parties and social groups about police’s handling of migration.
In April 2024, Anisur Rahman, a young Bangladeshi worker jumped to his death in Limassol to escape a migrant raid by authorities.
The police killings of migrants come in the backdrop of multiple attacks against migrant delivery workers across Cyprus, raising concerns about increasing racism and intolerance in local society.
In August and September 2023, far-right groups organised repeated attacks against migrants and migrant-owned businesses in Paphos and Limassol.
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