Ayia Napa may ban British troops from Cyprus resort

Mar 2 2008 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

BRITISH troops serving in Cyprus could be banned from a holiday resort in the wake of a bar brawl involving North squaddies, the Sunday Sun has learned.

Mayor of Ayia Napa, Nakis Tsokkos, wants to put in place a year-round blanket ban to prevent further bad behaviour, effectively making the tiny Mediterranean resort’s bars and beaches a no-go area for service personnel.

The call comes a month after nine soldiers from the Second Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers — many of whom are believed to be from the region — were charged in connection with a brawl which erupted in the Bedrock inn.

The fight was allegedly instigated by the troops and left five soldiers and two Greek Cypriots injured.

The soldiers, who have pleaded not guilty, face trial later this month.

Mr Tsokkos said: “After the recent incident involving soldiers from the British bases they are not wanted in Ayia Napa.

“Under the circumstances, we believe it would be better if we declare the whole of Ayia Napa out of bounds to British soldiers from the bases. This is not aimed at base officers, just the 17 to 18-year-olds who cause problems.”

The centre of Ayia Napa was already out of bounds for British soldiers during the last summer period and has been since squaddies raped and murdered a Danish tour guide.

British Forces in Cyprus spokesman Nick Ulvert says the mayor should not blacklist all 10,000 of the troops living in two bases because of the antics of a few.

He said: “We do understand where this is coming from and we do need to have a dialogue to see if we can reach a compromise.

“This was the exception to the rule, we do not condone such behaviour, our troops are well behaved and well disciplined and we’ve had good relations with Ayia Napa.”