Cyprus’ Interior Minister, Nikos Nouris on Wednesday said that those proven to have been involved in the recent incidents at the Pournara Reception Center will be deported, noting that, what had taken place there, “was hardly surprising” as it was a result of the overpopulation of the Centre.
The Minister was referring to the clashes last week at the reception centre between migrants for which dozens of arrest warrants were issued. He said that his Ministry has taken a series of measures that came with a hefty financial burden and that additional actions were underway to mitigate the problem on the one hand within Pournara and on the other, to improve the infrastructure as well as security for the neighbouring communities, first of all Kokkinotrimithia.
Nouris further said that a series of other measures will also be studied such as expediting the process for the erection of a new fence at the Center for €1.2 million. He said that they would consult with the contractors of the project, so as to limit exits from the Center.
The Minister also said that authorities were reinforcing the fence along the highway near Pournara and a process has begun with the help of the Nicosia Sewerage Board for the sanitary problems faced in the Center. Furthermore, there are a series of measures which mainly concern the Police in terms of security in Kokkinotrimithia, such as the improvement of street lighting, increasing patrols and other measures which, as he said, will be discussed with the Police.
Asked about the arrest warrants issued after the events in Pournara, Nouris said there will be deportations.
He reiterated that the State is trying to help and support the people who arrive in the country “in any way and with any means at our disposal”, but said that it was clear, many problems are being faced in terms of reception because of numbers “far beyond our capacity”.
“However, we require from the people who arrive in our country to show basic respect for our country and its infrastructure,” he said. So, he added, it is for this reason that specific articles of the relevant legislation will be activated and those who are proven to have been involved in the incidents will be deported.
Source: Cyprus News Agency