Parliamentary candidate detained after assaulting referee at football match

On Saturday evening, a 38-year-old parliamentary candidate from Limassol was arrested for allegedly assaulting an assistant referee during a STOK integration league match between Rotsidis Mammari and APOP Parekklisia. According to police reports, an unidentified person first struck the referee with a plastic bottle, followed by the suspect entering the pitch and punching the official. The match was subsequently abandoned. The victim was treated at Larnaca General Hospital and discharged shortly after. On Sunday, the Larnaca District Court ordered a three-day detention for the suspect, identified as Costas Nicolaou, a candidate for the Active Citizens – United Cyprus Hunters Movement. Nicolaou was previously known for his involvement in livestock protests at Rizoelia and a confrontation with a government minister. While some reports suggested the suspect initially implicated himself, others indicate he now denies involvement and claims he is being targeted due to his past activism. His political party stated they are monitoring the investigation and will take appropriate action if his guilt is proven.