Today’s parliamentary discussion regarding police actions during last Sunday’s hunters’ party demonstration has been postponed until April 23, following refusal by Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis to address questions about the incident which resulted in the closure of all four lanes on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway, causing disruption to thousands of drivers.
Arnaoutis declined to comment or answer MPs’ questions, citing ongoing dual investigations he had ordered after consultation with the Justice Minister—one internal police inquiry and another examining potential criminal offences committed by hunters or others involved.
The Police Chief’s request to suspend the discussion prompted strong reactions from MPs across all parties except far-right ELAM. When Arnaoutis continued to refuse specific responses, parliamentarians asked him instead to outline general police protocols for managing public events.
Arnaoutis explained that the police evaluate each situation and implement measures proportionate to assessed risk. He referenced a 2023 police directive regulating such matters, noting that when evaluating an event, authorities determine appropriate security measures based on their assessment.
When questioned about whether police were capable of managing the hunters’ demonstration, Arnaoutis asserted that police can handle any group regardless of size but emphasised their priority to avoid confrontations and injuries. “If we had 20 injured people on Sunday, what would the police have been criticised for?” he asked.
The matter will be revisited after Easter.
