This is the moment a cop throws a reportedly drunk tourist to the floor at an airport in Turkish Northern Cyprus and kicks him in the face while he is down – leaving him lying motionless.
The shocking incident took place at Ercan International Airport located in North Nicosia, in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on 13th June but the footage has only just been reported in local media.
Video Credit: AsiaWire
An allegedly drunk tourist, whose name has not been reported, began arguing with police officers and one of the cops then took him to the police department.
In the video, one of the cops can be seen throwing the tourist to the floor before the officer repeatedly kicks the man in the stomach. The cop then kicks the tourist in the face as other officers step in to stop the abuse.
The tourist can be seen motionless on the ground after the kick to his face and local media report paramedics were called to treat him.
After the security camera footage surfaced the Police General Directorate informed the public that an investigation had been launched.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Kudret Ozersay made an official statement which read: “As we were informed about the violent footage from the Ercan Airport police department, I met the Police General Director and an investigation was launched to find those responsible, as well as against the police officers who were watching the incident and didn’t react. Such a mentality cannot be present among our police officers. This seriously damages the reputation of our constabulary as well as that of our country.”
A statement from the Police General Directorate read: “The person in the footage was under the influence of alcohol due to excessive drinking upon which he started arguing, shouting and cursing at the police officers claiming that his smartphone got wet in the X-ray machine thus disturbing the environment.
“An investigation has been launched against the police officer from the footage who behaved in an unacceptable manner absolutely never seen in our officers, and caused damage to the reputation of our constabulary.”
The investigation is ongoing and the nationality of the tourist remains unclear.
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Story By: Sibel Abdiu, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Asia Wire Report
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