Officer suspended as probe launched into attack on passenger
A POLICEMAN has been suspended and an investigation launched after a graphic video showing a policeman assaulting a passenger at Ercan airport “went viral” on social media.
The footage shows other policemen watching the attack before eventually intervening to stop it as their colleague punched and kicked the Turkish tourist before dragging him along the floor to a nearby office.
CCTV camera footage shared on social media revealed the assault, which culminated in the man receiving a kick to the head that appeared to render him unconsciousness before two policemen restrained their colleague. A medical team arrived on the scene
but no information has so far been released about the man’s condition.
The incident, which occurred about a month ago, was said to have occurred after the man complained that his mobile phone had been affected while passing through an X-ray scanner.
A police spokesman, however, claimed the visitor was “extremely drunk” and had insulted the officer, who responded by attacking him.
“Legal action has been initiated against the man and an inquiry is under way regarding the officer who used violence,” added the spokesman.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay confirmed that an inquiry had been launched into the incident, adding that “passive onlooker officers” who failed to intervene earlier could also be charged with negligence. “The officer [who carried out the assault] has been removed from his post pending the results of the investigation,” added Dr Özersay.
Callers to the Kıbrıs Media Group after the video footage was posted online claimed the police officer at the centre of the investigation had been accused of “aggressive behaviour” previously at the Lokmaci border crossing, but that no disciplinary action had been taken then.