A 26-year-old South Asian student was the victim of a violent attack and robbery in the early hours of Saturday, 1 August, near the Ochi roundabout in Nicosia.
The incident took place at around 4:20 am in a parking area beside a construction site on Constantinou Palaiologou Street.
Speaking to philenews, the student said a group of three to four men approached him and asked whether he wanted a cigarette. When he refused, he said the men attacked him, pushed him to the ground and took his mobile phone and house keys.
Concerns over dark area
The student said he shouted for help but no one came to his aid, describing the area at the time as a “ghost town”.
He said the transition from the well-lit street with restaurants to the completely dark construction area creates anxiety and poses a serious risk to pedestrians.
The Municipality of Nicosia stated that there is currently no plan to install additional lighting in the area. It advised residents to submit complaints by email so that individual cases can be examined.
Police investigation underway
The 26-year-old reported the incident at Nicosia Central Police Station and submitted a medical report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as evidence.
He suffered injuries to his knee, legs and elbow after being thrown to the ground. He also provided police with his phone’s IMEI number and gave a statement.
According to the student, CID officers informed him that identifying the suspects could be difficult because he was unable to provide a detailed description due to poor lighting and the lack of security camera footage.
The stolen items have not yet been recovered.
Student urges others to stay cautious
Following the incident, the student posted on Reddit to raise awareness and advise others to take precautions.
He encouraged people travelling alone to use taxis that take them directly to their door, saying: “Please don’t risk it when you are alone.”
Other users commented on safety concerns in Cyprus, with some advising him to change his locks, while others described the incident as frightening.
The student said he usually feels safe in the area, which he often walks through, and believes the attack was likely random. He added that his main concern is how dark the area becomes during the early morning hours.
He said the incident left him deeply shaken.
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