Enlarge image
Damage in the transmitter building after the attack
Photo: ETIENNE TORBEY / AFP
In Cyprus, a demonstration against corona measures and vaccinations has gotten out of hand.
Participants attacked the headquarters of a television station and set several vehicles on fire.
According to the police, after a protest against the introduction of a Corona “Safepass” and against alleged “compulsory vaccinations”, around 2,500 demonstrators moved to the headquarters of the Sigma TV station on Sunday evening, set cars on fire and damaged the building.
An AFP reporter on site reported four damaged vehicles with the station's logo, one of which was completely burned out.
Several window panes on the transmitter seat were broken.
According to Sigma TV, police officers in the building were protecting employees.
There were initially no reports of arrests or injuries.
The President also spoke up
Those in charge of the station condemned the "cowardly attack".
"Our headquarters was attacked by a mob who threw firecrackers and damaged our cars," said the broadcaster.
President Nicos Anastasiades also criticized the violence as a "blow to democracy".
The government would "not give in to threats and blackmail," he said.
The authorities would also "crack down on" all violations of the law.
Later that evening, the situation calmed down, as an AFP reporter reported on site.
However, several police officers continued to guard the building complex.
RKI classifies the island as risky
Sigma is viewed as critical of opponents of vaccination and had already been attacked in the past at demos against corona requirements.
The Cypriot government had introduced a special vaccination card earlier this week, which is a requirement for entering supermarkets, shopping centers, restaurants and other shops.
The corona vaccinations were also extended to the 16- and 17-year-olds.
In the Mediterranean country, the number of infections had recently increased, since Sunday it has been classified as a high incidence area by the Robert Koch Institute.
Due to the classification, Cyprus vacationers have to go into a ten-day quarantine after their return, which they can end prematurely after five days with a negative corona test.
jok / AFP