A 28-YEAR old motorist was arrested on Friday night in Nicosia after allegedly hitting a police officer who had moments earlier booked him for not wearing a seatbelt. He is now being investigated in connection with charges of causing grievous bodily harm against an officer on duty.

At around 10pm, the police officer stopped the 28-year-old motorist to check his car. According to police, the driver began to shout and protest after getting booked for traffic violations.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides said despite the provocative reaction, the police officer “showed patience, without creating any tension”.

The police officer then rode away on his motorcycle, reaching a set of traffic lights on Ayios Giorgios road. At this point, the 28-year-old reportedly also drove in the same direction, crashing into the officer, who fell to the ground on impact.

The officer proceeded to arrest the motorist, who continued to swear and resist arrest, forcing the officer to use “proportionate force” said Angelides.

Both men were taken to the accident and emergency ward of the Nicosia general hospital where the police officer received treatment for friction burns on his left forearm and bloody abrasions on his left leg.

The 28-year-old was diagnosed with a fractured arm and was kept in for observation.

Angelides described the 28-year-old’s actions as “unjustifiable”.

Cyprus Mail