04 Aug 2017 | 12:51 AM UTC
Cyprus: Demonstrations planned throughout country from August 4-6
Demonstrations for the anniversary of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou’s deaths from August 4-6; air traffic to exceed record high in August
Event
Multiple demonstrations have been planned from Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6 to commemorate the anniversary of the deaths of Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou. On Friday, approximately 40 motorcyclists from the Cypriot Motorcycle Federation plan to ride their motorcycles from Paphos through to Pygros and up to the Republic of Cyprus Checkpoint at Astromeritis. On Saturday, between 08:00 (local time) and 10:00 approximately 800-1000 motorcyclists from across Cyprus plan to enter the UN monitored buffer zone. On Sunday, demonstrations are expected to take place in the UN monitored buffer zone near the town of Deryneia. Transportation disruptions are likely in the vicinity of demonstrations.
On a separate note, air traffic through Cyprus is expected to peak in August, with approximately 1.4 million passengers traveling via Larnaca and Paphos airports. August 6 is expected to be the busiest day of the year with 347 flights passing through the country.
Context
Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou were two Greek Cypriot cousins who were killed by Turkish citizens during a protest against the Turkish military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. An annual commemorative ceremony is held throughout Cyprus in the first week of August.
Advice
Individuals in Cyprus are advised to avoid all demonstrations and adhere to instructions issued by authorities.
On a separate note, people traveling to/from airports in Cyprus throughout August are advised to allow extra time to reach their destination.