Pafos Live 16 September 2024
A Bulgarian permanent resident of Paphos was arrested by the police for the fire that broke out yesterday in an abandoned factory in the Paphos industrial area. The fire caused extensive damage to four cars and a motorcycle, as well as to the factory premises.
The factory, which used to operate as a laundry, was recently illegally converted into a vehicle repair shop by a 30-year-old Bulgarian who had been illegally connected to the EAC network.
From this point it seems that yesterday afternoon the fire that spread to the vehicles and the factory started causing great damage. The fire was eventually extinguished by the fire brigade while the Bulgarian was arrested.
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Two young Syrians were arrested by police last night for possession of offensive instruments and quantities of copper. Members of the police intercepted a vehicle carrying two Syrians aged 19 and 20 last night in the area of the Tombs of the Kings.
Inside the car were found a bat and a golf club, as well as copper tubes and copper cables, which were not explained as to their origin. It is examined whether they have removed this material from newly constructed buildings. Both have been arrested and detained.
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A 24-year-old Greek Cypriot driver was found positive in a breathalyzer test last night.
The Pafos Police, as part of the ongoing road collision prevention campaign, carried out dozens of arrests and checks of drivers of wheeled vehicles and a total of 29 complaints emerged for various violations of the Road Traffic Code. Most concerned speed limit violations and failure to use a seat belt
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Police arrested four people yesterday during the incidents that broke out in relation to the football match between APOLLON – AEL, which was cancleled.
They are two 17-year-olds, an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old, all from Limassol, who were outside AEL's SYFI and at the sight of the police entered a car in order to escape.
The members of the Police intercepted the said vehicle and from a check carried out, a metal bat was found in it, while hoods were found in the possession of the three and they were arrested for flagrant offences.
The above arrested persons were taken to the offices of the ICF Limassol where they were re-arrested on the basis of court warrants and detained.
Regarding the incidents, the police have already released the photos of 17 people, who are wanted in connection with the incidents.
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Pafos Press
A coordinated operation to combat noise pollution took place in Paphos over the last two days, in the context of which nine properties were reported.
According to the Assistant Police Director of Paphos Operations Michalis Nikolaou, within the context of preventing and combating noise pollution on Saturday between 21:15-23:50 members of the Paphos Crime Prevention Ulam, searched premises based on court warrants and confiscated sound systems. As a result of the investigations, managers of nine properties were reported.
The coordinated operations to combat the phenomenon of noise pollution will continue, concluded Mr. Nikolaou.
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Filenews
Police arrested a 35-year-old man yesterday as part of an investigation into a case involving assault on a police officer and causing actual bodily harm, stabbing, causing injury and alarm, causing malicious damage and resisting lawful arrest.
Specifically, around 1.45 a.m. yesterday, information was received to the Police about a fight in an area of Limassol. Members of the Police went to the said area, where they located three persons, who at the sight of the policemen, fled. At the scene, a 35-year-old man was located, who during the investigation of the incident, was taken to a Police Station, where he attacked and beat a Police sergeant, while causing concern, resulting in his arrest for a flagrant offense.
A 37-year-old man also went to the police station, who reported that at around 1.30am, while at his home in the same area where the incident took place, he heard motorcycle noise and went down to the parking lot of the apartment building where he lives, where he saw the 35-year-old holding a torch and looking at a vehicle, which was parked. According to the 37-year-old, the 35-year-old pointed a knife at him and attacked him by hitting him on the back, biting him on the arm and then kicking his wife's vehicle, causing malicious damage.
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Police arrested a 23-year-old man yesterday as part of an investigation into child pornography.
Specifically, information was received at the Cybercrime Investigation Branch, that a specific user of a social networking platform uploaded to his account, a file concerning sexual abuse of a child.
Tests carried out, according to a relevant police statement, revealed that the user of the account in question, is a 23-year-old, who was arrested this morning with a court arrest warrant. During his arrest, a mobile phone was found in his possession and confiscated as evidence. Also, in a search of his home with a court warrant, a computer was found, which was also taken as evidence.
The Cybercrime Division continues its examinations.
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The situation in Limassol got out of hand after the final suspension of the derby between Apollon and AEL at the "Alphamega" stadium.
There were incidents between members of the Police and fans, resulting in a member of the MMAD being injured in the knee by throwing a naval flare. The said member of the Force, as we were informed around 20:30, was transported by ambulance to the General Hospital of Limassol.
It was preceded by the stone-throwing and intervention of the special vehicle of the Police, "Ajax".
We remind you that the Police asked for the departure of AEL fans and their re-inspection. When this happened and they returned to the stands, the postponement of the match was finally announced.
Regarding the march of organized supporters of Omonia on May 29, Limassol police director Andreas Angelides, in statements to the Cyprus News Agency, had said that no problem has been observed.
The Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou, speaking from the stadium to the CytaVision camera, said, among other things: "As Police we watched before the match what happened Molotov cocktails and torches. Several hours before the start time of the match, AEL fans entered the stands spraying the police and supervisors."
"We asked for the fans to leave, for them to accept control and re-enter the stadium. At first some of them went outside and others did not. Several did not get tested again. As the police, since the security officer could not guarantee the start of a match, we took this decision," he added.
He then stressed: "It is time for the other competent bodies to reflect on their responsibilities."
Update - At least three police members were injured by competent police sources shortly before 21:00.
One member of the Police was transferred to Limassol General Hospital around 20:30.
Filenews reported that he was a member of the MMAD, against whom a naval flare was fired. It injured him in the knee.
The riots broke out after the decision to permanently stop the match. It was preceded by a decision to exit AEL fans from the stadium and undergo a new inspection. Shortly after they returned, the stadium's loudspeakers announced the final suspension of the derby between Apollon and AEL.
This was followed by stone-throwing and intervention by the police vehicle, "Ajax". Tear gas was also used.
Update - The closed circuits shed light on the events that took place before the interruption of the derby between Apollon – AEL at the "Alphamega" stadium.
The footage obtained by Filenews, shows fans entering the stadiums, bypassing the police officers and the control that was about to take place. A second video secured shows fans bypassing the check-in counter. Specifically, as can be seen from the footage, they are throwing items over this point.
The incidents broke out after the decision to permanently stop the derby between Apollon and AEL. It was preceded by a decision to exit AEL fans from the stadium and undergo a new inspection. A little later, the stadium's loudspeakers announced the final suspension of the Apollon – AEL derby.
This was followed by stone-throwing and intervention by the "Ajax" police vehicle. Tear gas was also fired.
In addition, in a statement, the Police referred to everything that preceded the interruption of the confrontation:
"Today we witnessed once again serious incidents at a football match, although the Police repeatedly warned the CFA and other competent authorities about potential risks and their obligations to prevent such phenomena.
The Police, despite the difficult conditions they face and the increased duties they have shouldered, mobilized a large force today to police the match between the teams APOLLON – AEL, at the ALPHAMEGA stadium. Despite multiple appeals, however, it seems that these were ignored, where the following serious events occurred:
• Small fire outside the stadium
• Finding a bag with Molotov cocktails and torches
• AEL fans at their entrance and in order not to be searched, used spray against the invigilators and police and forcibly entered the stadium. When fans were then asked to leave for a body search, they refused to be searched again and returned to the stands despite police recommendations.
• After the announcement of the non-start of the match, in the stand of Apollon, fans used flares and torches, while during the exit of the fans, members of the Police were attacked, resulting in three members of the Police, one of them, seriously injured.
The referee and the stadium security officer, after realizing the insecurity that prevailed with the conduct of the match and after accepting the suggestions of the Police, decided not to conduct the match.
The Police reiterates its call to the CFA, the stadium managers and the Clubs to assume their responsibilities. We call once again on the competent Federation to reconsider its position after today's events, while we expect it to faithfully implement the code of disciplinary regulations it has recently announced.
The Chief of Police has requested a detailed report of events from the stadium police officer, which, among other things, will be sent to the CFA."
The 35-year-old, under questioning, gave some allegations which are being investigated. The two persons, after going to Limassol General Hospital, found that the 35-year-old has bruises on the face and redness in the eye, while the 37-year-old has traumatic injuries to the chest and spine.
The police sergeant also went to first aid, who was found to have a traumatic wound to his left palm. To facilitate the interrogations regarding the above investigated case, the 35-year-old was arrested with a court warrant and detained.
The ICF of Limassol and the Polemidia Police Station continue the examinations.
Update - The detention process was completed and the court reserved its decision on the Police's request for tomorrow with the four suspects remaining in custody until tomorrow.
At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the Court's decision is expected to be given in relation to the detention request of the four AEL suspects. This is what the Judge of the Limassol District Court ruled in relation to the request for detention of the investigators of the ICF Limassol to be detained for a period of eight days.
The procedure, as Filenews reported in a previous report, took place in a ward of the Hospital. One of the four suspects at the time of his arrest claims that he was attacked by members of the police and asked to be taken to hospital since he was not feeling well.
During the proceedings, lawyers for the suspects objected to the police's request, arguing that there was no testimony linking their clients to the incidents that took place outside the stadium after the postponement of the match.
The judge, after hearing both sides, reserved his decision for tomorrow and ordered that all four suspects be detained until tomorrow.
The four suspects are being investigated for the offences of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, unlawful possession and transport of an offensive instrument, unlawful entry into a sports ground, obstruction of a sports match and cancellation of a match.
It should be noted that the 17-year-old suspect will remain guarded at Limassol General Hospital where he is being treated.
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With a relevant video posted on a social media page by the AEL team, a citizen with disabilities denounces being attacked and beaten by police officers. So does his son.
The video is making the rounds on the internet while information indicates that the two complaining AEL fans will file a complaint against the members of the Force with the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police.
