Police have charged two additional protesters with public disorder offences three weeks after a demonstration over the state killing of 24-year-old migrant Shoaib Khan, prompting opposition lawmakers to demand a parliamentary inquiry into police conduct.
The charges of insulting behaviour and breach of peace stem from a January 19 protest in Nicosia over the killing of Shoaib Khan, who was shot by a Cyprus Police officer. Six people now face charges related to the demonstration.
Volt Cyprus parliamentarian Alexandra Attalides and AKEL MP George Koukoumas have filed a request for an automatic examination before the House Human Rights Committee regarding police protocols and the right to assembly.
The lawmakers are seeking to investigate potential violations of the constitutional right to peaceful protest under Article 21, as well as breaches of Article 20 of the UN Human Rights Charter and Article 12 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Alliance Against the Far Right, Fascism and Racism condemned the charges on Wednesday, describing them as “politically motivated state suppression” aimed at intimidating citizens and criminalising protest.
Volt Cyprus cited growing concerns over police handling of demonstrations, referencing several cases including the 2020 “Os Dame” protest injuries and the arrests of MEP candidate Oz Karahan and journalist George Tattis for banner display at a parade.
The party has also submitted a parliamentary question requesting data on criminal cases filed by police officers against protesters between 2019 and 2024.
On January 19, police attacked and arrested four citizens after the end of a demonstration against institutional racism sparked by the killing of Shoaib Khan.
Three people were arrested on the spot and are now facing charges ranging from insulting police officers to public disturbance, rioting, and resisting lawful arrest. A man who filmed the arrests also ended up charged with a potential violation under the law on GDPR. Another woman was later summoned for questioning and was handed charges in writing.
A total of six people have been charged after they participated in the protest.
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