Police are investigating an incident which took place on Markou Drakou Street in Nicosia on Wednesday involving a group of black-clad and masked individuals who threw rocks, fireworks and other projectiles towards a group of people picnicking in the park area above the Roccas bastion.
The incident drew the ire of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman who “strongly condemned” the attack against park goers in the northern part of Nicosia. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) also condemned the incident which took place in the part of the buffer zone open to civilians and offered to assist investigations to bring the culprits to justice. For its part, the government said it condemns “any action that causes unrest, tension, or a breach of the peace.”
Investigation underway
Police spokesperson Vyronos Vyronos told Politis to the point on Thursday that an investigation has been launched into the incident, with Nicosia CID picking up the mantle. Police are looking into finding eye-witness accounts from people who were in the area at the time, he said.
Asked if police will utilise the bicommunal Technical Committee on Crime to assist in investigations, Vyronos said if needed, police will communicate with the Committee.
According to a post on social media, Erhürman said that at around 1.30pm on Wednesday, stones and firecrackers were thrown at people sitting in the park area above the Roccas bastion – one of 11 bastions comprising the 16th century fortifications of old Nicosia, known as the Venetian Walls.
Smoke on the Venetian Walls
The elevated park area falls under the control of the Turkish Cypriots, while the street below – although technically buffer zone – is open for civilian use, with no restrictions on movement applied.
Turkish Cypriot media outlet Kıbrıs published two videos online (see below), showing – in the first video – a black-clad individual with their face covered standing next to the Renaissance-era fortifications on Markos Drakou Street in the old town. The masked individual appears to light and then throw firecrackers over the Venetian bastion. At some point, smoke can be seen coming off the Walls where the firecracker landed.
In the second video, around 18 black-clad individuals are seen walking past the Walls down Paphos Street – next to ‘Paphos Gate’ – which connects to Markos Drakou Street, and in front of the derelict Spitfire Coffeeshop in the buffer zone.
Attacks on EOKA day
In his post, Erhürman notes the area is the responsibility of both UNFICYP and the Cyprus Republic, arguing both should have taken the necessary precautions given the relevance of the day. He linked the attack against park goers to the Cyprus Republic national celebration on April 1 which marks the launch of the struggle by the National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA) in 1955 against British colonial rule and in favour of union with Greece.
“On a day like April 1, when the likelihood of such incidents can be anticipated by everyone, it is unacceptable that no precautions were taken in such an area.” he said.
“We strongly condemn those who carried out the attack, and we expect both the UN Peacekeeping Force, with whom we have been in contact, and the Greek Cypriot leadership to take the necessary actions as quickly as possible and to share information with our competent authorities,” said Erhürman.
The Turkish Cypriot leader noted that no one was harmed by the incident. He added that a close eye will be kept on the Cypriot authorities and UN to ensure that those responsible for the attacks answer to the law.
UN condemns attack
UNFICYP also condemned the incident in a statement, noting that a “group of individuals threw rocks and fireworks towards the north allegedly at civilians present in a park and nearby cafes.”
According to UNFICYP Spokesperson Aleem Siddique: “Acts of violence of this nature are unacceptable and risk undermining public safety and stability.”
#UNFICYP condemns the incident which took place in the civil-use area of the @UN #bufferzone on Markou Drakou street in Nicosia, during which a group of individuals threw rocks and fireworks towards the north allegedly at civilians present in a park and nearby cafes.
— UN Cyprus (@UN_CYPRUS) April 2, 2026
Acts of… pic.twitter.com/zBmGKTqyQa
He noted that UNFICYP has reached out to the relevant authorities on both sides immediately after the incident occurred to follow developments and to support efforts to establish the facts through an appropriate and thorough investigation.
“UNFICYP reiterates its call for restraint and the respect for the rule of law and calls on all parties and individuals to refrain from any action that could undermine peace and security on the island,” he concluded.
Politis to the point understands that the UN dispatched peacekeepers to the scene once they were notified of the attack, but the alleged perpetrators had already left the area.
UNFICYP is in contact with the Cyprus Republic police and has offered to share its CCTV footage of the area, if asked. UNFICYP Police can also help liaise with Turkish Cypriot authorities to acquire testimony from those who were in the park when various projectiles were thrown their way and pass it on to the Cyprus Republic police – if requested.
Government response
Asked to comment, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the incident is being investigated by the competent authorities. He also said UNFICYP has been asked to provide any information supporting its conclusions regarding the incident.
“The government condemns any action that causes unrest, tension, or a breach of the peace,” said Letymbiotis.