giorgos gavriel — Authorities are currently searching for two suspects connected to the attack on artist Giorgos Gavriel’s home. This incident occurred on Thursday night when firecrackers were thrown at his residence in the Kokkinotrimithia area.
- Following the backlash, the Blue Iris gallery announced the cancellation of the exhibition, citing opposition from a section of society and a desire to avoid further unrest.
The attack followed a heated public debate surrounding Gavriel’s recent exhibition, which some critics deemed provocative and blasphemous, ultimately leading to its cancellation. According to police reports, CCTV footage captured two individuals riding a motorcycle and launching the explosives towards the artist’s home.
While police have not provided additional details due to the ongoing investigation, they confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident. At the time, Gavriel was at home with his family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren.
The Ecologist’s Movement condemned the attack, describing it as “an act of violence that exceeds all limits and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.” They stressed that while Gavriel’s art provokes discussion, such disagreements should not escalate to threats or violence.
“Disagreement – even strong or harsh criticism – is one thing, and targeting people with acts of intimidation and terrorism is another,” the party stated. They further emphasised that the use of explosives poses a significant danger to lives.
The incident occurred around 6pm, with initial police statements referring to a ‘makeshift explosive device’ that detonated near Gavriel’s home. This follows the recent cancellation of Gavriel’s exhibition at the Blue Iris gallery in Paphos, which faced backlash for the portrayal of Orthodox Christian symbols in his artwork.
Critics, including Disy MP Efthymios Diplaros, have described Gavriel’s works as a “deliberate desecration.” Diplaros asserted, “Invoking ‘freedom of expression’ is a cheap excuse for offending the religious conscience of millions of believers. Tolerance of such acts is not neutrality; it is complicity.”
House President Annita Demetriou also condemned the exhibition, stating that “freedom of expression cannot be an excuse for vulgarity.” Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos labelled Gavriel’s works as “unacceptable” and “provocative.”
Following the backlash, the Blue Iris gallery announced the cancellation of the exhibition, citing opposition from a section of society and a desire to avoid further unrest.
