Cyprus police use pepper spray on protesters at closed crossing

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus riot police used pepper spray on Saturday to thwart Turkish Cypriot protesters trying to shove their way through a barricaded crossing point in the heart of the ethnically divided island nation’s capital.

Several dozen protesters tried to push their way through a cordon of riot police on the Greek Cypriot side of the east Mediterranean island nation, but they were held back. Police said protesters hurled rocks during the brief demonstration, while four Greek Cypriot officers were injured.

Last week, the Cypriot government closed four of nine crossing points along a 120-mile buffer zone controlled by the United Nations, justifying the move on public health grounds. It said the move would help medical staff screen for potential coronavirus carriers crossing from the breakaway, Turkish Cypriot north to the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south.

Additional health workers have been posted to the other openings for more thorough checks. Cyprus has so far no confirmed coronavirus cases.

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades pointed to the fact that 3,000 Iranians live and study in the north. Iran has been hard hit by the new virus.

But Turkish Cypriot activist Murat Kanatli said, “This division is not acceptable. This is not a coronavirus issue.”

Greek Cypriot protesters on the opposite side of the barrier voiced their support for the Turkish Cypriots, with some directing chants of “shame” toward the police. Another protest a week ago saw the arrest of a demonstrator who allegedly slapped a Greek Cypriot soldier.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence. Though Cyprus is a European Union member, only the south enjoys full membership benefits.

Turkish Cypriot officials have denounced the closures and have complained to the U.N. and the European Union.

Petros Karadjias The Associated Press A Turkish Cypriot demonstrator shouts slogans as Greek Cypriot riot police officers stand in front of him at a closed crossing point in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Saturday.