A gang of approximately 15 masked individuals armed with knives and axes attacked migrants at an apartment complex in Oroklini on Saturday, leaving a 27-year-old Congolese man critically injured and a two-month-old infant seriously wounded.
Police have arrested the 35-year-old property manager in connection with the incident, who has been remanded in custody for eight days. He faces charges including conspiracy to commit a felony, causing grievous bodily harm and assault.
According to court testimony, the violence erupted early Saturday morning when the masked assailants attempted to forcibly remove African migrants who had been residing in the recently sold apartment complex.
Testimonies from residents to philenews claimed that the individuals brought in to evict them were carrying not only knives but also axes, which they used to break down apartment doors.
Authorities were initially alerted to disturbances at approximately 10:30 a.m., but the situation escalated significantly around 12:30 p.m. when more serious confrontations occurred between migrants and the group allegedly coordinated by the property manager.
Police reinforcements were called to the scene, and, according to the police, migrants began throwing stones at officers. Tear gas was then deployed.
Amid the chaos, the 27-year-old victim was found bleeding heavily on a main road in Oroklini. Video footage circulating online shows the man being carried to that location by others.
Migrants told philenews that police officers were present during the incident in which the man was injured.
In another area of the complex, a Congolese father sustained knife wounds to his hand, while his two-month-old infant also suffered injuries.
All three victims were transported to Larnaca Hospital. The 27-year-old was intubated and transferred to Nicosia General Hospital due to severe head injuries, where he remains in critical condition.
The infant, suffering from a cephalohematoma, was moved to Makarios Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
Police indicated there may be additional injured persons not yet accounted for, with investigations underway at private clinics. According to eyewitness accounts, at least one member of the attacking group also sustained head injuries.
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, police confirmed ongoing investigations, including the collection of testimonies and evidence to fully clarify the circumstances of the serious incident.
The apartment complex has a documented history of substandard conditions. In February 2022, philenews reported that 250 asylum seekers were living in the 55 apartments across six buildings without potable water and with sewage flowing into the street.
Though a district officer issued a decree on February 19, 2022, declaring the buildings uninhabitable, the order was never enforced.
Local residents and authorities had repeatedly reported the illegal renting-out of the apartments to relevant authorities.
