Pafos Live 24/10
Damage was caused last night by two unknown hooded men in the reception area of the "Agios Georgios" complex in Tremithousa.
According to the police, a few minutes after 11 last night, two unknown men, having their faces covered with hoods, invaded the reception area of the complex, which numbers about 200 apartments and houses, and caused damage to the glass pane and the electronic equipment of the reception area of the residential development.
At that moment there was no employee at the scene and the movements of the perpetrators were recorded by an internal surveillance circuit.
The scene has been cordoned off and examinations will be held today.
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A 42-year-old man was arrested yesterday by members of the DAOE - Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (Anti-Narcotics Service - Sub-Directorate of Intelligence and Special Operations), as part of a coordinated operation carried out in Nicosia.
Specifically, after collecting and evaluating evidence, members of YKAN (YPEE) located and arrested the 42-year-old in the act at a post office in Nicosia, at the time he was receiving a package.
During the checks that followed, it was found that the package contained about one kilogram of crystal methamphetamine.
The package, as well as two mobile phones in the possession of the arrested person, were taken as evidence for further examinations.
Subsequently, a search was carried out at the home of the 42-year-old, where a small amount of dry cannabis plant matter, various documents and two more mobile phones were found. All found items were taken for further examination.
The 42-year-old was taken into custody and is expected to appear this morning before the Nicosia District Court to secure a detention order. DAOE – YKAN Nicosia continues the examinations.
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Filenews
The presence and action of the Police last night was intense, throughout Cyprus, with organized patrols in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, ensuring public order and increasing the sense of security of the public.
As part of these operations, during the night, 875 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 1,175 persons on board were checked. At the same time, 62 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of dealing with phenomena of delinquency, from which 24 complaints emerged.
The result of the preventive policing operations was the arrest of three persons, for offenses such as threat, traffic violations, as well as for pending court fine warrants.
During traffic checks carried out, 291 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while 15 investigated cases of traffic violations also emerged. As part of the police examinations, eight vehicles were detained.
Of the complaints made about traffic violations, 60 complaints concerned exceeding the speed limit. There were 31 complaints about driving under the influence of alcohol, while three cases of driving under the influence of drugs emerged. For driving under the influence of alcohol, 311 checks were carried out on vehicle drivers, while for driving under the influence of drugs, six driver checks were carried out.
Policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue daily, with an enhanced police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action, with the aim of protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
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Members of the DAOE - Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (Anti-Drug Service - Sub-Directorate of Intelligence and Special Operations), proceeded to the arrest of a 35-year-old man and confiscate a quantity of methamphetamine of one kilogram and approximately 197 grams, as part of an operation carried out in the provinces of Larnaca and Limassol.
The investigation of the case began after cooperation with the authorities of a European country and information about the transport to Cyprus, of a postal package containing the amount of methamphetamine with a gross weight of one kilogram and 197 grams.
Following the cooperation of DAOE with the Customs Department, the package was located on 21/10/2026 at Larnaca airport, where it had arrived from abroad.
Yesterday 23/10/2026, around 4.00 pm, during the delivery of the package to the 35-year-old, who presented himself as its recipient, the members of the DAOE proceeded to arrest him for a flagrante delicto.
The 35-year-old was taken into custody for the purpose of investigating a case of importation, possession, and possession of drugs for the purpose of supplying another person, as well as money laundering.
DAOE – YKAN Limassol is investigating the case.
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The 24-year-old who was arrested as part of the investigations into the robbery of a residence in Sfalagiotissa was brought before the Limassol District Court, with the Court ordering his detention for a period of six days. According to the evidence under investigation, the 24-year-old, being orally interrogated, allegedly confessed that, on the instructions of one of the three persons still wanted in the case, he went to pick up the stolen property and put it in his custody.
It should be noted that, according to the examinations carried out so far, the value of the stolen property exceeds €300,000.
Investigators arrived on the trail of the 24-year-old after receiving and evaluating information from the investigative team investigating the case. The information stated that part of the stolen property, and specifically jewellery, had come into the possession of an unsuspecting person in Limassol.
The house of this person was put under surveillance, as, according to the information before the authorities, an associate of the perpetrators was expected to go there to pick up the jewellery. On October 22, 2026 in the afternoon, the suspect appeared at the scene and was stopped by members of the TAE and the Limassol OPE. From the testimony obtained, it emerged that the stolen goods had been transferred to the unsuspecting citizen by one of the arrested, after the robbery was committed.
The approximately 70 pieces of jewellery were received by the Police and were taken into custody for further examination.
Five people in custody - Three are still wanted
Five people are already in custody for a period of eight days in connection with the case, while three others are still wanted. So far, as part of the investigations, 11 statements have been taken and five investigations have been carried out, during which a number of presumptions were received, as well as part of the stolen property.
At the same time, material from closed surveillance circuits was received, which was evaluated by the investigators.
The examinations are expected to continue in the province of Paphos, where the 24-year-old lives, while material from closed surveillance circuits in the area of the residence where the gold was transported is also expected to be checked.
To complete the investigations, it is estimated that about 15 more statements will be taken from persons in the professional and friendly environment of the suspects, as well as from people directly or indirectly related to the case and the place where the stolen property was located.
In addition, additional statements will be taken from the complainants, while the Police are expected to submit a request for the issuance of an access order to telecommunications data.
As part of the further examinations, two reconnaissance factions and scene indications are also planned, while efforts continue to locate the remaining stolen property, which has not yet been found.
The Supreme Court proceeded to partially accept an appeal by an insurance company, dividing the responsibility for a traffic accident in Engomi by 80% to the car driver and 20% to the motorcyclist, who was injured when he tried to avoid the collision. The Court held that, although the driver of the car caused the accident by entering a main road without adequate control, the motorcyclist should have calculated the probability of a vehicle entering from an adjacent lane, as he was overtaking a series of immobilized cars.
The appeal concerned a first-instance decision by which the company's insured driver had been given sole responsibility and the injured party had been awarded €5,000 in general and €3,928.40 in special compensation, plus interest and expenses.
The accident happened on July 12, 2010, on Vyzantiou Street in Engomi, when the driver of the moped overtook six immobilized vehicles due to traffic traffic. According to his version, a car that exited a lane on Kallimachou Street, which was controlled by an "ALT" sign, entered its course without its driver adequately controlling the traffic.
To avoid the collision, the motorcyclist braked abruptly and attempted a manoeuvre, as a result of which he overturned on the asphalt. Despite the fact that there was no contact between the two vehicles, he suffered a rib fracture and abrasions, while he remained unable to work for about two and a half months.
The Nicosia District Court had accepted the testimony of the motorcyclist and the police examiner, rejecting the testimony of the driver of the car as unreliable, due to substantial contradictions. It ruled that the latter entered the main road without stopping at the "ALT" sign and without the required control, stopping the motorcyclist's course. The Court of First Instance also considered that overtaking was lawful and braking a reasonable reaction to a sudden danger.
The insurance company questioned the evaluation of the testimony and the attribution of sole responsibility to its insured, arguing, among other things, that the motorcyclist should have anticipated the danger when moving in the opposite lane in order to overtake the immobilized vehicles.
The Supreme Court rejected the first four grounds of appeal, holding that the Court of First Instance had adequately assessed the testimony and justified its findings. He reminded that the credibility of witnesses is primarily the task of the Court of First Instance and that the Court of Appeal intervenes only when the relevant conclusions are arbitrary, irrational or not supported by the testimony.
Accepting, however, the fifth ground of appeal regarding the sharing of responsibility, the Supreme Court held that the obligation of the motorcyclist to ride with increased caution, given the circumstances, had not been duly taken into account. In particular, the presence of the lane was obvious and the possibility of another vehicle entering the main road could not be ruled out.
The Court clarified that even when a driver has the right to overtake immobilized vehicles, he must check the road conditions and calculate possible risks. Violating a traffic rule does not automatically entail civil liability, just as following the regulations does not exempt a driver from the obligation to exercise due diligence.
Therefore, the Supreme Court recognized that the entry of the car into the main road without adequate control was the root cause of the accident, but held that the motorcyclist also contributed to causing his damage by failing to take reasonable precautions.
With the amendment of the first instance decision, the general compensations were reduced from €5,000 to €4,000 and the special ones from €3,928.40 to €3,142.72, plus interest and expenses as determined at first instance. No costs were awarded for the appeal, due to its partial success.
The judgment underlines that liability in road accidents is judged on the basis of all the circumstances and behaviour that would be expected of an average prudent driver, even when the main responsibility for causing the accident lies with the other driver.
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With six negative evaluations, two extensions of the probationary period and a support program, a teacher failed to convince of her suitability, with the Administrative Court of Appeal upholding the termination of her probationary appointment in Primary Education, ruling that the Educational Service Committee (EVS) acted lawfully on the basis of the evaluations and evidence before it. The Court also awarded €3,000 in favour of the Republic of Cyprus and against the appellant for costs.
The teacher was appointed under probation to the permanent position of teacher in Primary Education on September 1, 2016. During the initial two-year trial period, its four semi-annual evaluations, for the period from September 2016 to August 2018, were classified as "unsatisfactory" by the relevant inspectors.
On 3 October 2018, the EVS decided to extend the probationary period until 28 February 2019 due to the unsatisfactory performance of its tasks. This was followed by a new unsatisfactory evaluation for the period September 2018 – February 2019, as a result of which the Commission decided, on 29 March 2019, for a second extension, until 31 August 2019.
The evaluation for the last six months of the probationary period was again characterized as unsatisfactory by two Primary Education inspectors. The Directorate of Primary Education then recommended the immediate termination of her appointment.
The teacher was summoned to appear before the EVS and on 26 September 2019 she submitted her representations, accompanied by her lawyer. The following day, the Commission decided to terminate her probationary appointment, with effect from 30 September 2019.
The teacher appealed to the Administrative Court, which rejected her appeal on June 30, 2022. He then appealed, raising six grounds for annulment of the first-instance decision. Among other things, she claimed that her right to be heard before the unfavourable assessments were drawn up, that the administration did not sufficiently investigate her case and that the support programme offered to her did not meet the requirements of the legislation.
The Administrative Court of Appeal specifically addressed the issue of prior hearing before drafting adverse official reports, referring to a decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court of May 2025. In the relevant case law, it is pointed out that Article 36(4) of the Public Educational Service Law provides that an unfavorable service report is not drawn up for an educational officer before he is given the opportunity to be heard and submit his representations.
In the present case, however, the Court of Appeal found that there was a continuous dialogue between the teacher and the competent inspectors, who pointed out to her the difficulties and weaknesses they identified in the performance of her duties. At the same time, support programs were drawn up with the participation of the inspectors, the schools in which he worked and the teacher herself.
Indicatively, in a letter dated March 23, 2018, the teacher was informed about her inclusion in a support program, with the aim of addressing the problems that had been recorded in the previous evaluations. In a letter of reply, on 30 April 2018, she had stated that she wished to cooperate with the authorities and make every effort to meet her teaching duties.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the teacher was aware of the situation, had been informed of the difficulties identified and had opportunities to express her views. In addition, when the EVS considered terminating her appointment, it informed her of this and gave her the opportunity to submit oral and written submissions.
Rejecting the other grounds of appeal, the Court held that the competent Ministry had offered the support program provided by law and that there was no error, abuse of power, insufficient investigation or lack of reasoning. He also noted that the assessment of the professional competence of teachers is primarily the responsibility of the administration, unless it is found that the limits of its discretion have been exceeded or another legal defect.
According to the EVS minutes, despite the educational and pedagogical guidance provided during the initial two-year period and the two extensions, the teacher showed "little to no improvement".
In conclusion, the Administrative Court of Appeal rejected all six grounds of appeal, upheld the first instance decision and awarded €3,000 in legal costs in favour of the Republic of Cyprus.
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