Larnaca’s mayor has voiced strong concerns regarding the city’s response to organised crime as a protection racket expands its grip on local businesses in the Oroklini tourist area. Mayor Andreas Vyras highlighted the alarming situation following a violent incident on Saturday involving a gang of 15 members armed with axes and guns.
“Words don’t satisfy us. We want to see results,” Vyras stated in an interview with ANT1, pressing for tangible measures from authorities to tackle the growing menace of organised crime and restore a sense of security in Larnaca.
Reports have surfaced indicating that for the past two months, the gang has been targeting various establishments, including beer bars, kiosks, and souvlaki shops, demanding protection money while intimidating their owners. “The complaint we received appears to be substantiated,” Vyras confirmed, noting that the municipality had received similar complaints just the day before.
An anonymous source revealed to philenews that the gang arrived in vehicles and descended upon local businesses, creating a scene as they demanded money. Their presence often led to traffic disruptions, prompting business owners to inform the police.
In a troubling twist, some proprietors have reportedly felt compelled to comply with the gang’s demands due to fears of violent retribution. This development underscores a wider struggle between rival factions vying for control of Larnaca’s lucrative protection business, a conflict that has escalated and erupted into violent confrontations, such as the recent incident on Gregori Afxentiou Avenue, located a mere 100 metres from the police headquarters.
Vyras did not mask his frustration at the current circumstances, stating, “This situation cannot continue. Murder attempts in Larnaca are known. Organised crime cannot be combated just like that.” He particularly directed his ire at the judicial system, questioning the release of individuals with multiple serious complaints against them. “How can you have seven complaints for serious cases and be out and circulating?” he asked.
Simply increasing police patrols, according to Vyras, isn’t sufficient to combat organised crime. “Organised crime requires many more things and many more actions,” he insisted, noting that no substantial measures have been publicly announced to address the issue. The mayor expressed dissatisfaction with the current response from law enforcement and government officials, stating, “We are not satisfied with the result and are waiting for the actions that must be taken and planned by the competent authorities.”
In response to the mayor’s comments, police spokesman Vyron Vyronos defended the law enforcement strategy, asserting that one incident does not render an area unsafe. He explained that the situation has been assessed, arrests made, and measures taken. “Large amounts have been seized in drug cases. By every means, we monitor them and create problems for them,” Vyronos added.
Regarding the ongoing issue of protection rackets, he acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in Larnaca, pointing out that the offences under investigation include participation in a criminal organisation and extortion. “These offences require written testimony to proceed to court,” he explained, urging individuals with information to cooperate with police.
However, many businesses remain too frightened to testify, opting instead to accept extortion demands to avoid potential violence. The anonymous source who spoke with philenews highlighted the pervasive fear among local business owners.
Vyronos assured that police efforts have intensified in recent days, noting that not all measures are suitable for public disclosure. Yet, the public’s faith in law enforcement is being tested as they grapple with the impact of organised crime.
The violence on Saturday was reportedly linked to a criminal group that had been demanding significant sums from a businessman for protection. This incident is part of a broader struggle among gangs competing for dominance in Larnaca’s protection industry, a battle that has been intensifying over the past few months.
