The case against 22 Turkish Cypriot teachers who stand accused of “battering” police officers during a protest in 2022 was on Wednesday adjourned until October 1.

Wednesday’s hearing was the 12th thus far in the case, with it set to resume after the summer holidays.

After the hearing, teachers’ trade union leaders spoke outside court.

“We are teachers, we are not thieves, we are not muggers, we did not set fire to cars, nor did we harass or abuse anyone, and we did not raid a police station. The claim is that 22 teachers battered two police officers, but the prosecutor’s office insists on not watching the videos,” Cyprus Turkish teachers’ trade union (Ktos) leader Burak Mavis said.

“If there are any teachers who will be subject to these allegations, they have not said who,” he added.

“It is also shameful that in a place where notorious criminals are pardoned by the cabinet and allowed into the country, teachers, who should be with their pupils, should be here.”

Meanwhile, Cyprus Turkish secondary education teachers’ trade union (Ktoeos) leader Selma Eylem said the ruling coalition’s aim is to “punish and intimidate those who rebel against the system, who take action for this purpose and who demand their rights”.

“The system of fake diplomas, fraud, giveaways, and profiteering continue without anyone being held accountable, yet they are here intimidating teachers by making them crawl through the corridors of the courthouse on the grounds that they allegedly battered two police officers,” she said.

“This is all because they are protesting, they are rebelling. This fascist understanding is attacking the teachers’ unions. Of course, they are not above the law and the constitution, they cannot be. We will continue to fight on this issue with renewed determination.”