Threats
Cyprus: Almost all schools evacuated after bomb threats
Numerous schools in Cyprus are being evacuated due to a threat. photo
© Takis Tsafos/dpa
Unknown people threaten bloodshed by email, frightened parents pick up their children from schools, a major evacuation operation is underway: the morning began with terror in Cyprus.
Unidentified people have announced bomb attacks on numerous Cypriot schools in emails. In addition, threats were made with martial statements such as “We will cut off your necks” and “We will drown you in your blood”. Police classified the message as Threats with an Islamist background. Police spokesman Christos Andreou confirmed on Cypriot radio that the email was sent to almost all elementary schools and high schools and also some kindergartens.
“We carried out the evacuation calmly. No explosive device has been discovered so far,” said Andreou. Many frightened parents took their children out of schools, the media reported.
Cyprus maintains good connections with Israel and the Arab world
The email was published in numerous media outlets. The authors referred to Islamic law (Sharia), which, according to their understanding, calls for the punishment of all unbelievers, it is said. According to police, the threat was written in poor Greek and suggested an online translation. Experts from the security authorities and the Interior Ministry are now trying to find out where the emails were sent from.
It initially remained unclear why Cyprus, of all places, should be exposed to Islamist threats. The small EU island republic is home to many Israeli citizens, but also many refugees from the Middle East. Nicosia maintains good connections with both Israel and the Arab world. At the request of the Cypriot government, relief supplies have been repeatedly sent by ship to the suffering population in the Gaza Strip in recent months.