The Police of the Republic of Cyprus has announced a tender for the purchase of two armored vehicles with water cannons. The contract amount is 1.01 million euros. They will be used during clashes between hooligans and police forces and spontaneous protests.

According to the technical requirements of the competition, the machines must withstand vandal attacks, their surface must be made of non-flammable materials, and they must emit powerful jets of water over a considerable distance. The contract includes a requirement to train Cypriot police officers to operate two armored vehicles.

One car will be located in Limassol and, if necessary, travel to Paphos, the second — in Larnaca, and it will also be able to be used in the free territories of Famagusta (Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paralimni).

Currently, the police have only one Ajax armored car with a water cannon. He is based in Nicosia, and if necessary, he is sent to other cities. For example, he arrived in Larnaca to protect law and order during a protest held in October 2023 on Finikoudes Alley.

Ajax was used to disperse anti-corruption protesters and lockdowns in Nicosia during the pandemic, as a result of which a 25-year-old woman suffered an eye injury and partially lost her eyesight. The incident was investigated by the independent commission for complaints of individuals against the police. She found the Ajax armored vehicle operator innocent.

In addition, the police announced a tender for the purchase of 200 vandal-proof and fireproof mattresses worth 43,000 euros and three vans worth 135,000 euros for the Nicosia Central Prison.

Photo from the Cyprus archive News Agency: During a protest against corruption and covid restrictions in Nicosia in July 2021

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