Pafos Live 8 May 2024
A new major operation was carried out last night by members of the anti-narcotics service in Paphos.
During the operation, a quantity of narcotics exceeding ten kilos of cannabis and a pistol was found.
A 35-year-old Greek Cypriot has been arrested in the case.
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A 62-year-old man was arrested yesterday by members of the Police in connection with an investigated case of shooting at a car, committed last Monday, in the Limassol district. The 62-year-old suspect was taken into custody, with the ICF Limassol continuing examinations.
According to the evidence under investigation, at around 3.15 pm on Monday, 06 May, two suspects, who were travelling on a motorcycle, stopped outside a residence in Zakaki, where they fired a number of shots at a car used by a 61-year-old man.
Members of the Limassol Police Directorate and a team of the Criminal Investigation Service of the Police Headquarters conducted examinations at the scene, receiving various documents for further examinations.
The investigation of the case by the ICF of Limassol revealed evidence against the 62-year-old suspect, against whom a judicial arrest warrant was issued. He was arrested under the court warrant shortly after 2.30pm on Tuesday and taken into custody for police questioning.
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Police arrested a 29-year-old man yesterday afternoon to facilitate investigations into an ongoing case of attempted murder, committed in Nicosia, on January 29, 2023.
The 29-year-old was found around 4 p.m. yesterday, on a street in Famagusta district, by members of YKAN. He was suspended for inspection, during which it was found that a judicial arrest warrant was pending against him for the attempted murder, under which he was arrested and detained, to facilitate interrogations.
The attempted murder was committed in the early morning of January 29, 2023, at a nightclub in Nicosia. According to the evidence under investigation, at around 3am, a 24-year-old patron of the centre had an argument with another patron who allegedly retrieved a knife and injured the 24-year-old in the abdomen. A 38-year-old security guard approached the two men to deal with the situation, but the alleged attacker allegedly wounded him in the chest with a knife and fled.
A 30-year-old man, against whom a court arrest warrant is pending, continues to be wanted in the same case to facilitate investigations.
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There have been no recorded incidents of injury to persons from the use of firecrackers during the Easter holidays, while since the beginning of the Police campaign, a total of approximately 5,500 firecrackers, including pyrotechnics, have been identified and confiscated throughout Cyprus and 12 persons have been charged in writing, report the Police.
In a statement, the Police noted that throughout the Easter holiday period, they were on their feet, taking intense action and policing various areas throughout Cyprus, with the protection and safety of the public as a priority.
Specifically, he says, operational orders and special action plans have been put in place, with the aim of a festive season that is safe for all, with reduced crime and as bloodless as possible (away from firecracker injuries and serious and fatal road collisions).
"As part of our preventive policy, we had already carried out relevant planning, based on which there were increased patrols and checks throughout Holy Week, with an intensification of our checks from Maundy Thursday, in areas where increased activity is observed every year in terms of regarding the use of firecrackers and fireworks, but also where there were indications of the lighting of lamps. Also, most temples in the cities and the countryside were policed. The measures taken were targeted, deterrent and effective, without recording any injuries from firecrackers or during the lighting of the lamparatzis," it added.
It is also reported that the aim, as every year, was to combat the phenomenon of the use, possession and sale of firecrackers during the Easter holiday period. At the same time, it states that in cooperation with the local authorities, piles of timber and other objects, which were considered dangerous or were moved to areas that were not safe, were removed.
In the effort to reduce these incidents, the Police say that a primary role was played by the targeted enlightenment and information campaign carried out, in collaboration with other agencies, among students and young people, about the dangers of using firecrackers and fireworks.
"Also, it was important to inform the public by the Fire Technicians Branch of the Police and the Community Policing, which gave lectures in organized groups, as well as the Communication Branch of the Police Headquarters, which through announcements, tips and videos shown on Social Media Networking of the Police, we contributed to a significant extent to the efforts to enlighten and raise awareness of young people and students in the development of critical thinking, but also of internet users in general regarding the dangers posed by the use of firecrackers and fireworks," he concludes.
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Filenews
Known persons to the authorities are the three arrested persons 32, 46 and 50 years old, who were handcuffed in the context of investigating a case involving conspiracy to commit a felony, extortion, demanding money with threats for the purpose of theft and attempting to destroy property with explosives, which occurred on 30/04/2024 at a residence in the district of Larnaka.
The three suspects were arrested on Tuesday night on court arrest warrants and are expected to appear before the Larnaca Court later in the day for a detention order.
The three were allegedly involved in the throwing of the grenade in the courtyard of a house in Meneou. The explosion of the grenade caused damage to the house, but did not injure any person.
The three were reportedly named as the persons who threatened the owners of the house from whom they demanded money.
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Police proceeded on Tuesday afternoon to re-arrest a 46-year-old man, following evidence that emerged in relation to twelve cases of arson of houses and vehicles, committed in the area of Strovolos, Nicosia, between July 2023 and February 2024. The 46-year-old was currently in custody on suspicion of three other cases of arson offences, namely the arson of two cars and the attempted arson of a playground, committed in March and April 2024 in Strovolos.
The 46-year-old was stopped at dawn on April 29 by members of the Police, who spotted him wandering suspiciously in an area in Strovolos, where a little earlier, at 4:20 in the morning, a car parked in the area was set on fire. Later in the morning of the same day, it was found that an arson attempt had also been committed in a playground in the area of Strovolos. Subsequent examinations revealed that the arson attempt was committed shortly after 4:00 a.m.
During the investigations that followed in the morning of the same day, by members of the ICF of Nicosia, evidence emerged against the 46-year-old, in relation to the arson of a second car, committed around 4:00 in the morning, on March 18 in Strovolos. A judicial arrest warrant was issued against the 46-year-old, under which he was arrested by ICF members, while the following day, April 30, he was brought before the Nicosia District Court for a detention order. The District Court approved the police's request and issued an eight-day detention order for the 46-year-old suspect for police examinations.
During the investigations that followed, evidence emerged of the commission of another twelve cases of arson, namely, six cases of residential arson and six cases of vehicle arson, committed between July, 2023 and February, 2024, in Strovolos. On the basis of the new evidence that emerged, a new judicial arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday against the 46-year-old. He was re-arrested and remains in custody, with the ICF Nicosia continuing examinations.
With the arrest of the 46-year-old suspect in the twelve arson cases and the new round of investigations resulting from this development, the Police may apply for a new court order to detain him for the purpose of completing police examinations.
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To the cooperation of a 9-member criminal group that operated hierarchically throughout Cyprus, having organization, coordination and distinct roles, the ICF of Nicosia seems to attribute the attempted murder of 34-year-old Dimitris Andronikou ("Dimitroui") committed on 23/4 on the road Palaichori - Anthoupoli. This is evident from what the Police presented in a marathon judicial process, which began yesterday morning and ended the next day, in an attempt to convince that there is reasonable suspicion of the involvement of nine persons in this criminal act.
We present in detail what the ICF Nicosia said about each of the persons detained in the case:
>1st suspect (45 years old): He is the only Greek Cypriot suspect and the police present him as an instigator. According to ICF's testimony, he took over the leadership of a faction in Nicosia. He came into conflict with 34-year-old Dimitris Andronikou, who, based on what was said by the police, attempted to take over control of premises, mainly betting shops. The 45-year-old and the 34-year-old allegedly exchanged death threats, while written testimony has the former sending the message to Andronikou that he would get him out of the way first. Immediately after the attempted murder (23/4) the 1st suspect had lunch with the 2nd suspect and his close associate. The latter allegedly transmitted an order to commit the crime. In addition, investigators said they obtained written testimony that the 1st suspect after the attempt contacted the executor of the plan, the 6th suspect through the mobile phone of the 3rd suspect. The 45-year-old reportedly congratulated the alleged hitman, sent him €10,000 and told him he would send him €1,500 a month for life. The 45-year-old's vehicle was found in the possession of the 3rd suspect. In the car there were €7,000. The ICF cites video footage from a gas station showing that the 3rd suspect went to the scene in the same car registered to the 45-year-old and gave the €10,000 to the 6th suspect, who allegedly shot Andronikou at least three times.
>2nd suspect (38-year-old): Based on the detention request presented by the ICF to the Nicosia District Court, the 2nd suspect is a close associate of the 1st suspect and had instructed the 4th suspect to supply the weapon for the murder of the 34-year-old.
> 3rd suspect (30-year-old): He was in possession of the vehicle of the 1st suspect, in which €7,000 was found and according to the initial testimony he undertook to find the people who would execute the plan on behalf of the 45-year-old. He appears to have handed over €10,000 to the alleged hitman. According to the ICF, this reward comes from the €8,300 found in the possession of the 6th suspect. The 30-year-old's mobile phone allegedly contacted the 1st and 6th suspects after the crime was committed. Testimony shows that the 3rd suspect communicated regularly with the last two.
> 4th suspect (22-year-old): He was instructed by the 2nd suspect to supply the weapon for the planned murder. In his possession was found an empty box believed to have 9mm bullets, like those used in the attempt.
> 5th suspect (27-year-old): It is believed that the 27-year-old was initially assigned to murder the 34-year-old, whom he was watching. He was "afraid to carry out the murder" on two occasions as reported by the ICF to the Court, so the 3rd suspect instructed the 6th to undertake the execution. As the ICF investigator told the Court on Sunday, the initial information identified him as the driver of the scooter-type motorcycle used in the attempt. However, at the time of the crime he was allegedly acting as a thug. He lived at the same address as the alleged executioner (6th suspect). CCTV shows him on the day of the attempt to be with the 6th and 8th suspects in the morning. Testimony has all three of them doing another job 2-3 days before the attempt, wearing dark clothes and having covered faces. Washed clothes smelling of gasoline were found in his home. Documents of the 6th suspect were found in his room. A black helmet, a feeder tracker (used to locate another vehicle) and a quantity of prohibited class B drug were also found.
> 6th suspect (26-year-old): As reported to the Court, according to "the testimony secured is the executioner of the attempted murder, i.e. the person who, as a passenger on the motorcycle, shot the complainant three times." Suspect. The investigators cite CCTV testimony that shows him on the day of the attempt to depart from Kaimakli, wander around the Lakatamia police station, be located at the site of the attempt (Palaichori – Anthoupoli road) and finally head as a passenger on a motorcycle driven by the 8th suspect in the village of Menoiko, where the latter lives. After the murder, he went twice to Pyla, while shopping bags were found in the occupied areas. Police also present him as having the same address as the 5th suspect and talking to the 7th suspect (he is serving a prison sentence for another attempt). Testimony shows him cutting the pistol used in the attempt into small pieces with emery. The magazine found in Pervolia is believed to come from the weapon in question.
> 7th suspect (43-year-old A.A.): Sentenced (9/2021) to 17 years in prison for the attempted murder against Nikos Rodotheou (26/11/2018). The 5th and 6th suspects allegedly kept a pistol belonging to the 43-year-old in the house where they lived. Testimony shows the 6th suspect stating in connection with the attempt that the 43-year-old had initially told the 5th suspect to shoot the victim. Also, the 43-year-old allegedly had a video call from the Prison with the alleged executioner of the attempted murder (6th suspect) and told the latter that he was looking for the 5th suspect and that he believes he has been arrested. The 5th suspect allegedly managed three vehicles and three motorcycles on behalf of the 43-year-old.
> 8th suspect (40-year-old): For the 40-year-old, the police believe that he is the driver of the scooter-type motorcycle, with which the perpetrators in the attempt approached the 34-year-old Andronikou. At his home in Meniko, shoes were found that are identical to those worn by the motorcycle driver. The ICF also cited written testimony.
> 9th suspect (28-year-old): The 28-year-old is of Romanian origin and was arrested the day before last Saturday but had been released. He was rearrested on Easter Sunday. As it turns out, while he had reported to ICF investigators that he does not know the 6th suspect, he nevertheless has the latter's phone stored on his mobile phone. The same goes for the contact list on the 6th suspect's phone. Also, based on data extracted from the 28-year-old's mobile phone, it appears that he has a photo of motorcycles related to the present case.
Record with the length of the procedure
The Judge of the Nicosia District Court, Niovi Petridou, approved the detention requests of the nine suspects in two separate proceedings, at dawn on Tuesday and at noon of the same day, respectively. The examination of the request for detention of the first six suspects was scheduled for 10:00 am on Monday, began with a delay, while the Judge issued a decision around 01:45 am on Tuesday. For the other three suspects, it began in the interim on Monday night and the court order was issued yesterday at 12:00. In particular, the procedure for the first six suspects was marked by the lengthy cross-examination of Yiannos Giannakou, who presented the request on behalf of the investigation team of the ICF of Nicosia.
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Police arrested a 52-year-old Limassol resident yesterday to facilitate investigations into a case of extortion of money by false representations.
The case was reported to the police yesterday by an 83-year-old resident of a village in the Limassol district. According to the evidence under investigation, the 52-year-old allegedly extorted money from the 83-year-old on 23 separate occasions in order to help him regain possession of land, which he lost a few years ago. According to the complainant, the total amount allegedly given to the 52-year-old amounts to €12,830.
The 52-year-old was arrested under a court warrant issued against him and taken into custody to facilitate interrogations.
The ICF Limassol is investigating the case.
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The dispute over the local elections in the Municipality of Dromolaxia-Meneou is assuming incredible proportions.
After the malicious damage to the vehicle of the municipal councillor of DISY, Savvas Kyriakou, an incident was recorded at noon on Easter Tuesday in a café in the area starring him and the mayor Kypros Andronikou.
Mr. Kyriacou, in fact, filed a complaint with the police claiming that the mayor hit him with his head in the face using force. According to philenews, the mayor of Dromolaxia-Meneou is making a similar complaint at this time, claiming on his part that he was attacked with violence by the municipal councillor and his wife who were in the cafeteria.
The incident took place in front of the eyes of patrons of the café, to which police officers rushed looking for testimony from closed-circuit surveillance. It is recalled that the municipal councillor of DISY on Easter Monday complained that damage was caused to his vehicle, claiming that political motives were behind the attack.
The councillor's car was parked in the parking lot of the area's stadium where Easter games were held. Unknown persons broke the glass of the vehicle, as well as that of a second car that was nearby. Speaking to philenews on Tuesday morning, Kyriacou said his complaints are in a specific direction, claiming that some people want to shut his mouth.
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Cyprus Mail
Firefighters were called to put out three blazes in Limassol in the early hours of Wednesday, which affected the ground floor of a building, a motorcycle and a café.
According to an announcement released by the fire service, the first fire affected the building, as firefighters were called to extinguish the flames that erupted around 12.40am. Four fire trucks were dispatched.
The building was abandoned, and the fire caused extensive damage to its walls and burned several pieces of discarded furniture kept in a storage room. The timely intervention of the fire service prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings and the fire was eventually put out.
Later on, at around 3.30am, firefighters were called to extinguish a fire that severely damaged a parked motorcycle on Stasikratous street. A fire truck dispatched on the scene put out the blaze, which appears to be malicious, the fire service statement said.
Finally, at 4.14am, a small fire that occurred at a café on central Makarios avenue required the intervention of a fire truck. The blaze was put out half an hour later.
The causes of the three incidents will be thoroughly investigated on Wednesday, the fire service statement said.
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Hoteliers are furious with the police and the labour ministry over their raids on hunting down illegal workers in Cyprus, it was reported on Wednesday.
Members of the Cyprus Hotels’ Association (Pasyxe) claim that during a recent investigation in Paphos, 30 officers entered the hotel causing panic among staff and guests.
Pasyxe general director, Philokypros Roussounides told the Cyprus Mail that these raids as they are being conducted are akin to a “third world country” and they should be done in a civilised manner.
Regarding the incident in Paphos, Roussounides said that the officers entered the hotel causing “fear and panic”.
“People were afraid, children were crying. It is not logical for such things to happen,” he said.
Pasyxe has also sent a letter to the police and the labour ministry calling on them to respect the businesses and tourists, when conducting their inspections, as it harms the industry.
“We do not renounce the police activity,” Roussounides said.
“However, this raid should be carried out in specific ways, in a specific context and always with full respect for the companies themselves.
“When we talk about hotels, we must not forget that these are businesses worth millions. We are not talking about a small grocery store or kiosk,” he added.
Roussounides said in addition to businesses, authorities should show the necessary respect to all those who choose Cyprus for their holidays and in no case should they panic and terrorise them.
Commenting on the latest issue in Paphos, Roussounides said “these incidents disappoint everyone and especially us, who are trying to build and offer a respectable tourist product.”
He added that “at the end of the day we cannot with our actions destroy it all.”
Roussounides explained checks should be conducted but in the correct manner.
“Where illegalities are found, they should be punished accordingly, but with the necessary respect,” he said.
Commenting on how Pasyxe is handling the matter, Roussounides said that the organisation has sent letters to both the labour ministry and the police, because they are the ones who carry out the inspections, in order to make the necessary corrections or recommendations to prevent a repetition in the future.
“We have through our letters asked everyone to respect both the businesses and all those who choose our country for their holidays and come to spend their money,” he said.
“Under no circumstances should we disturb their mental health and peace of mind while, at the same time, crushing our tourism product.”
