Minors moved overnight from OAP home after incidents

Minors who had caused ire among Larnaca locals earlier in the week following incidents at an elderly nursing home where they were housed, were moved overnight to other facilities, it was reported on Friday.

The operation to relocate 15 migrant youths took place between 8.30pm and midnight, according to a police statement as relayed by Philenews.

The youths formed part of an original group of 20 who had been removed from their previous shelter at the Hanipa hotel in Larnaca, after some among them had set fire to parts of the building.

The overnight operation, which was carried out in collaboration with social services staff, resulted in five minors being transferred to Famagusta, one to Nicosia, and the rest to other housing in Larnaca district, according to the daily.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old who had been arrested on Thursday is being held in custody, accused of smashing sunroom windows at the facility.

The 17-year-old was expected to appear before court on Friday to answer the charges brought against him.

Meanwhile a case of indecent assault against a carer is also being investigated by police, although no charges having been brought.

A total of 1,300 registered unaccompanied minors are being housed in facilities islandwide. A lack of specially trained staff and the fact that minors are housed together in concentrated numbers, due to a dearth of suitable alternatives, are seen as the chief causes of flare-ups such as the latest episode in Larnaca.

According to the welfare department, the situation is expected to improve, once services become inducted into the deputy ministry for migration.

Director of the welfare services Maria Kyratzi had said that placing the minors in the same premises as the elderly had been intended as a temporary arrangement and some minors had already been moved before the incident escalated, drawing attention to the situation.

Increased cooperation with the police and hiring private guards were other measures which had been discussed, she said.

The issues could not be eradicated overnight, and the minors needed to be addressed individually, she added.

Concerned citizens and others, however, have accused the state of inaction in the escalating situation which local residents are well-aware of. They furthermore expressed frustration that certain districts are unfairly burdened over others.

Speaking to Reporter Larnaca mayor Andreas Vyras claimed that almost all the migrant minors are housed in his district.

The mayor called for a more even re-distribution and for the youngsters to be inducted into well-designed educational and other empowerment programmes.