Cyprus’ main opposition party, AKEL, issued a sharply worded statement Saturday following the broad-daylight killing in Limassol, accusing the government of failing to tackle organized crime.
“The underworld now feels comfortable killing in public view, in broad daylight,” the party said, calling on the government, the justice minister, and the police leadership to take responsibility.
AKEL questioned what became of what it described as “grandiose declarations” by President Nikos Christodoulides to combat crime, suggesting that government zeal has been focused instead on protesters and legislation that restricts fundamental rights and civil liberties.
“The critical question,” the party said, “is whether the government will finally dare to confront organized crime.”
“So far, it has proven tragically incapable of doing so,” the statement concluded.