By Bejay Browne.
The recent murder of a Syrian man in Chlorakas is one in a growing number of incidents that is spreading fear among residents and has forced the community leader to appeal for state help over groups of young, armed, single men.
Police patrols have increased, and the community board is also paying for three private security guards to monitor the area in the wake of the murder of 20-year-old Jamal Alhadzi who was killed in Chlorakas after being stabbed multiple times.
A total of 11 suspects, all Syrian, face murder charges over Alhadzi’s death, apparently over matters of honour.
There are three or four ‘hot spots’ which are home to around 250 young Syrian men, some of them even alleged Isis members, Nikolas Liasides, Chlorakas’ community leader, told the Paphos Post.
“For them, it is normal to carry weapons, including knives, and fight over seemingly trivial incidents,” he said.
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris confirmed his ministry had been informed of the community’s fears.
“The government is aware of the problem in Chlorakas and we are cooperating with the local authorities,” Nouris said. He said he was not aware that some of the men were alleged Isis members.
The situation has spread serious concerns in the wider community, among long-term Syrian residents who fear the newer arrivals.
“These young men been arriving in Cyprus over the last 18 months or so. Chlorakas is not racist, I want to make that clear, and the Syrian community that was established in the area some years ago are lovely people, but these new people are something different,” Liasides said.
The group have also targeted long-term female Syrian residents, including one who was recently accosted and berated on a Chlorakas street when visiting a friend.
They admonished her for driving a car, wearing make-up and being too ‘modern’. Despite this incident, she believes that the younger members would benefit from professional psychological support and help from the state as violence and a lack of respect are all they have experienced their entire lives. The older ones should just be deported, she said.
“They have started to create major problems. There are many complaints from residents and there are not enough police in Paphos, there aren’t enough officers, and they can’t be everywhere at the same time,” Liasides said, adding that this was why he has informed the interior ministry and appealed for help.
Paphos police confirmed that extra officers patrol these areas in Chlorakas and that check points are regularly set up.
“They make trouble and drive dangerously. We find them in possession of knives and other weapons and they are arrested. They are mainly asylum seekers and those of protected status,” a police spokesman said.
Chlorakas’ population is now around 7,000, 1,000 of them from Syria.
