Two remanded for delivery driver attack

Limassol district court on Wednesday remanded two individuals for six days in connection with an attack against a delivery driver.

Court heard the 28-year-old driver had an unknown substance thrown on his face that burned his eyes while he was on Anexartisias street. The incident unfolded at around 2am on Tuesday, when the two suspects aged 20 and 22 were in a vehicle with another two individuals.

When the delivery driver reacted, the suspects attacked him but ran away when they realised members of the public had spotted them.

An ambulance took the 28-year-old to Limassol general hospital.

Police found the vehicle at a Mesa Gitonia parking lot, and obtained witness testimony against the two suspects, prompting their arrests.

They appeared before court without a lawyer, requesting legal aid which court accepted.

They claimed the driver had provoked them after they reprimanded him for his driving.

Both suspects were remanded for six days and face charges related to conspiracy to commit a felony and a misdemeanor, using harmful gases, assault causing actual body harm and offences linked to the law of racism and xenophobia.

Another two individuals are wanted in connection with the case.

Attacks against delivery drivers in Limassol have become an almost regular phenomenon, prompting concern from police, food delivery companies and the government.

Earlier this week, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said he was seriously concerned over the spate of attacks against delivery drivers, and would have a high-level meeting during the week to discuss the issue.

In August, hundreds of delivery drivers staged a peaceful protest in Limassol expressing deep concern over what they described as a frightening surge in violent attacks against them.

They announced a three-day strike as they said it was an everyday occurrence for drivers to be ambushed, robbed and humiliated by groups of people.