MAN GOES ON TRIAL ACCUSED OF RACIST BEATING (Cyprus)

17/9/2005- The trial of Christodoulos Nicolaides, the man accused of attacking and injuring a Turkish Cypriot and his Greek Cypriot friend at a Nicosia caf? on July 29, began yesterday at the Nicosia Assizes. The 28-year-old former policeman turned salesman made headlines after being arrested for allegedly attacking two men, Greek Cypriot Marinos Kleanthous and Turkish Cypriot Sadik Aktan. The story made bigger headlines when it was reported that Nicolaides was linked to the ultra-nationalist party Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn).  Although there is no official Cyprus branch of Chrysi Avgi, there are a reported 28 members on the island, of which, according to police, Nicolaides is the leader. Nicolaides denies those claims. Nicolaides faces eight charges, which include causing actual bodily harm, assault and acting with intent to incite hostility between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He has so far denied all charges. The court yesterday heard statements by three police officers. Kleanthous, a witness in the trial, also made a statement saying that he did not see Nicolaides involved in the fight. Meanwhile, the prosecution is also charging Nicolaides with the actual bodily harm of Turkish Cypriot Veysel Toksoy, who was attacked in Troodos on March 13. According to reports, Aktan and Kleanthous were with a group of other friends at the caf? when they were attacked and beaten. Nicolaides was later tracked down by police at his home and was arrested. Nicolaides later told police that night that the incident was a misunderstanding which had nothing to do with the fact that one of the victims was a Turkish Cypriot. According to one source, the two groups were sitting next to each other at the caf? when at one point the Greek and Turkish Cypriot pointed and laughed towards the suspect and his friends sparking the fight. The former policeman told the court, “I never hurt anyone. The Turkish Cypriot was not touched. The incident happened after they verbally abused us.” Fears that Golden Dawn supporters might turn up for the trial proved unfounded. The trial is set to continue on September 20.
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