A banner displayed by Dinos Toumazos, a former Cypriot Greek Australian community member, has sparked controversy in Cyprus, leading to the arrest of two activists. The banner, which read “CYPRUS REPUBLIC: THE ONLY SOLUTION” in Greek, Turkish, and Turkish Cypriot dialect, and included the subtitle “APARTHEID IS NOT A SOLUTION,” caused police intervention during a national parade.

According to reports from Kathimerini Cyprus, on October 1, George Tattis and Oz Karahan were arrested while attempting to display the banner near the officials’ podium during the parade.

Toumazos, who was with them, accused the police of unnecessary violence, stating that officers initially inspected and photographed the banner, only to later inform the group that it could not be displayed despite containing no offensive content.

Tattis, asserting the group’s constitutional right to free expression, questioned the police’s authority to prevent the banner’s display. Tensions escalated as additional officers arrived, attempting to seize the banner and pushing the group towards a parking area.

Toumazos described how Karahan was forcibly restrained and handcuffed during the incident, followed by Tattis, who was also arrested after seeking an explanation for the aggressive actions.

The arrests, however, were not officially attributed to the banner itself. Police spokesperson Christos Andreou clarified that the charges stemmed from the individuals’ behaviour, stating, “They were detained for causing public disorder and assaulting officers, not because of the banner.”

The charges include disturbing the peace, public insult, resistance during lawful arrest, and assault on a police officer.

The incident, which took place during the celebration of Cyprus’s independence, was condemned by the Ecologists’ Movement–Citizens’ Cooperation. Its leader, George Perdikis, denounced the police’s actions as excessive and called for the matter to be addressed by the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee.

In a formal statement, the Movement raised concerns over the citizens’ constitutional right to free expression and questioned the justification for the severe response by the authorities.

The case is set to be heard on November 18, 2024, as public discourse surrounding the role of police in suppressing peaceful protests continues.