Cyprus ‘ready to help’ UK police on far-right agitator
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Far-right leader Tommy Robinson is alleged to have orchestrated attacks targeting migrants in Britain through social media posts.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NICOSIA, Cyprus – Cyprus police said on Aug 7 they were ready to assist their British counterparts in taking action against far-right leader Tommy Robinson, who allegedly instigated anti-migrant violence from a sunlounger on the island.
“We are in contact with the British police and if they need our assistance, we are ready to help,” a Cyprus police spokesperson said as thousands of UK riot police stood ready to deal with more potential outbreaks of violence.
According to British media, the former leader of the English Defence League, an Islamophobic group founded 15 years ago, appears to be evading a court hearing in Britain while holidaying in Cyprus.
He was filmed by AFPTV this week relaxing by a swimming pool at a five-star hotel in the resort town of Ayia Napa.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is alleged to have orchestrated attacks targeting migrants in Britain through social media posts.
Cyprus police told AFP they believed Robinson was still on the island, and that they had informed the British authorities they are keeping an eye on him.
“He is still in Cyprus as far as we know,” the spokesperson said.
Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson warned on Aug 7 that social media influencers allegedly fuelling violent disorder would be extradited, but did not mention Robinson by name.
Mr Parkinson told the BBC that offenders “must know that they are not safe and there is nowhere to hide”.
He added: “We would certainly consider extradition if we are satisfied that an offence has been committed.”
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said “there will be a reckoning” for perpetrators, adding that social media put a “rocket booster” under the violence that erupted more than a week ago after three children were murdered.
The government has said 6,000 specialist police officers are being readied to deal with England’s worst disorder in over a decade, which has seen hundreds arrested and more than 100 charged.
The violence broke out after three girls, aged nine, seven and six, were killed
False rumours initially spread on social media, saying the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. AFP
