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Arrests of citizens displaying a Palestinian flag an authoritarian provocation

 

23 July 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

AKEL denounces yesterday’s arrest of three citizens who flew balloons with the Palestinian flag tied to them, an act that took place at a considerable distance from the stadium in Limassol, where the football match between Paphos FC and Maccabi Tel Aviv was being played. This is a provocative act of authoritarianism, intimidation and criminalization of freedom of expression.

The provocation is even greater given that inside the stadium, the police had no problem with the Israeli flags being displayed whilst allowing fans of the Israeli team to light torches and smoke bombs, actions that otherwise constitute criminal offences. All this took place in the presence of President Christodoulides, who was present at the stadium.

AKEL has already made protest representations to police authorities since yesterday. We demand that police and the Justice Minister explain under which law and reasoning the Palestinian flag is considered a prohibited symbol. We call for the immediate withdrawal of the charges against the citizens.

 

 

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