Turkish Cypriot human rights groups on Friday called for an investigation after police reportedly fired their weapons at a boat that had ferried 30 Syrian refugees to ethnically split Cyprus’ breakaway north.
The groups, including the refugee rights group MHD, said in a joint statement that an investigation should be carried out to determine if police were justified in shooting at the boat since those onboard may not have understood their orders.
The refugees, who landed in the early hours Thursday near the town of Guzelyurt, or Morphou in Greek, included three women and seven minors. They have been taken to a reception center for health checks including coronavirus testing.
It’s unclear from where the boat set sail.
A Turkish Cypriot court ordered three people who face human trafficking charges to remain in police detention for three days.
https://cypriumnews.com/2020/07/09/2-immigrants-who-tried-to-escape-arrest-have-been-shot/
