KKTC protests Greek Cypriot police firing on Turkish Cypriots

The two Turkish Cypriots were driving around Pile when a police vehicle approached them, asking them to stop. When they ignored the request, the police opened fire. Although the two were not injured, their car was heavily damaged.

Calling the incident “unacceptable and perilous,” KKTC Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün announced that the KKTC would take measures to provide security and tranquility to its citizens in Pile.

In his written statement, Özgürgün said the KKTC Foreign Ministry severely criticized the incident which, according to the framework of UNFICYP, places the lives and security of KKTC citizens at risk. The UNFICYP deals with security issues on the island.

Özgürgün noted that Greek Cypriots had been gradually extending their power from the southern part of the island towards the town of Pile, which is in the buffer zone. Several months ago, a Greek Cypriot policeman stopped and detained the car of a Turkish resident of Pile.