Another arrest made over delivery driver attacks

Police on Saturday announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man in connection with one of a recent flurry of attacks on delivery drivers in Limassol.

In particular, the man stands accused of being one of the four people who attacked a 28-year-old Bangladeshi national in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Two more people have already been arrested in connection with the attack in question, with police now saying an “unknown substance” was thrown in the delivery driver’s face, “causing burns to his eyes”.

After the substance had been thrown at the man’s face, the four people got out of the car in which they were travelling and began to beat him.

The police are looking for the fourth and final occupant of the car.

The 22-year-old’s arrest comes two days after an 18-year-old male was sentenced to 10 months in prison after attacking a delivery driver in August.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis had said he was “seriously concerned” by the frequent attacks on delivery drivers, and said he would hold a high-level meeting during the week to discuss the issue.

Earlier, two food delivery companies met with Limassol’s police chief Andreas Angelides over the matter, with Angelides saying the attacks “are not tolerated”, and that all sides had resolved to “better coordinate” with the aim of clamping down on the phenomenon.

“These victims are hardworking individuals in Cyprus, simply trying to earn a living. This situation cannot continue. The police are taking measures,” Limassol police spokesperson Lefteris Kyriacou told public broadcaster CyBC earlier in the month.

He added that many of the attacks appear to be racially motivated, a claim corroborated by several victims in recent weeks.