The newly-opened border crossings at Derinya and Lefke-Aplıç, were closed on Sunday evening for three hours because of protest action held by a group of 20 Greek Cypriots.
The group consisting of members of the ultra right-wing group ELAM and relatives of Solomos Solomou, who was shot while attempting to pull down a Turkish flag at a Turkish Cypriot checkpoint at Derinya in August 1996.
According to a report by Greek Cypriot daily ‘Fileleftheros’, the protestors said that they wanted the border crossings to be closed because they wanted to protect society from an influx of drug trading and to avoid financing the division of the island and the “invaders”.
Protesters also said that local businesses will be affected by the opening of the new border crossings.
There will be further protests at border crossings at Akyar (Strovilya) on December 2, Beyarmudu on December 9, Lokmacı (Ledra Street) on December 16, Ledra Palace on December 23, Metehan on December 30, Bostanci (Astromerit) on January 6, 2019, Yeşilırmak (Pirgo) on 13 January, and again at Derinya on 20 January.
Kibris
