Pafos Live 19 February 2025
The police proceeded to the arrest of an 18-year-old Romanian, resident of Paphos in connection with an investigated case of car theft worth €8000. This vehicle was driven by the 24-year-old Greek Cypriot who was accused by his grandfather and grandmother of having stolen gold, money and other objects worth about €32,000.
The vehicle he was driving contained various building tools worth €3600 and was stolen three days ago. After his arrest, he told police that the vehicle had been stolen from the 18-year-old Romanian, who has been arrested.
* * * * * *
A 30-year-old Russian man who has been arrested for setting fire to the residence of the Chinese family in the early hours of February 11 is a pyromaniac.
The Russian permanent resident of Pafos, who after his arrest appeared before the Pafos court and an eight-day detention order was issued against him, confessed from the first moment to his act, without mentioning any reasons for his action.
Under persistent questioning from investigators, he claimed that he liked to see fires. The 30-year-old is expected to be examined by a psychiatrist today.
* * * * * *
Police arrested two more people, aged 53 and 28, in connection with an ongoing fraud case. Two other people, aged 45 and 46, were arrested in connection with the case and are in custody.
The fraud case was reported to the Police and specifically to the ICF of Limassol on February 11, by a 78-year-old man. According to the complaint, after an investigation conducted by the 78-year-old through the Limassol Land Registry Department, he found that a piece of land belonging to him, in the Limassol district, was sold to a company for the sum of €600,000 in cryptocurrencies.
Further examinations revealed that for the transfer of ownership of the plot, forged documents were submitted, while the 78-year-old's signature had also been forged.
As part of the police examinations, members of the ICF Limassol proceeded on Sunday, February 16, to the arrest of two men, 45 and 46 years old, (Press Release No. 1, dated 17/02/2025, relevant). The two were brought on Monday before the Limassol District Court, which, at the request of the Police, issued an eight-day detention order for the purpose of investigating the case.
Yesterday afternoon, a 53-year-old man was arrested by ICF members pursuant to a court warrant, while shortly after midnight, last night, a 28-year-old man was arrested by members of the Police, pursuant to a court warrant.
The Police are investigating a case of fraudulent transactions in relation to real estate, extortion of money by false representations, impersonation, forgery, circulation of a false document, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
* * * * * *
Police have arrested a 72-year-old man who is being investigated for offences relating to aiding and abetting after committing an offence and interfering with judicial proceedings.
The 72-year-old was arrested last night on the basis of a court warrant and taken into custody to facilitate interrogations.
Police examinations show that the footage posted on a social media platform on 17/02/2025 by a person wanted by the Police, was taken at the 72-year-old's home.
* * * * * *
Filenews
In an incredible way, a Limassol man managed on two occasions to deceive citizens and extort money from them under the pretext that their electricity was cut off due to debts. This person was arrested yesterday and today he was brought before the District Court for a detention order.
Despite the fact that the Court approved the six-day detention request requested by ICF investigators, the suspect will be transferred to Athalassa Hospital, as, according to a doctor who examined him, he needs hospitalization.
According to Filenews, the case was revealed after complaints from citizens who fell victim to fraud by the person in question. Specifically, on two occasions, between February 15 and 16, the suspect went to two residences, where he initially turned off the main power switch. He then presented himself to the owners stating that he was an EAC employee and told them that they must pay the electricity bill in order to reconnect.
The victims, unaware of the scheme, fell into the trap. In one case they paid €180, while in the second €500. As soon as he received the money, the suspect would go to the electrical box, turn up the switch and everything seemed normal. In addition, from one of the victims' residences, the suspect managed to steal €100.
This case shows once again that citizens need to be extra careful not to trust unknown individuals who pose as employees of organizations without an official identity or notice.
* * * * * *
A major operation by the authorities took place today in Larnaka, where members of the Nicosia and Larnaka OPE located and confiscated significant quantities of duty-free tobacco products.
According to Filenews, more than 5,000 boxes of cigarettes have been found so far, which appear to come from the occupied areas.
The products were found in a warehouse owned by a 60-year-old man, who was arrested and taken, along with the seized products, to the Department of Customs and Excise for further investigation and handling of the case.
Filenews reports that the suspect has again engaged authorities for smuggling.
This case is not linked to the one for which four Israelis are detained.
🚨Large quantities of duty-free tobacco products were found and confiscated today by members of the OPE L/sia & L/kas, in a warehouse of a 60-year-old man, in Larnaka.
The 60-year-old was arrested and handed over along with the goods to the Department of Customs and Excise for further handling of the case. #Cyprus pic.twitter.com/FHONhiJsgb— Cyprus Police (@Cyprus_Police) February 19, 2025
* * * * * *
Another case of corruption in the Cyprus Police, resulting in the suspension of a member of the Force. The Internal Audit Service of the Police (Y.E.E.A.) is investigating a case against a Police Officer concerning the following offenses:
- Abuse of power
- Decimation
- Transactions with agents suggesting corruption
- Violation of official secrecy and disclosure of state secrets
- Deception and abuse of trust by a public official
- Disobedience to provisions of laws imposing duty
- The Protection of Natural Persons with regard to the Processing of Personal Data and the Free Movement of such Data.
The examinations continue by the UNHCR, while the member of the Police has been suspended following instructions from Mr. Themistos Arnaoutis, Chief of Police.
The Police Leadership stresses once again that the fight against corruption is a priority. The Police remains committed to its mission of serving society with integrity and respect.
* * * * * *
in-cyprus
A Limassol court has fined a 42-year-old woman €3,500 for causing the death of a 22-year-old motorcycle passenger, Vasilis Chiras, in a collision that occurred in June 2022 on a main road in Ayia Fyla.
The defendant, who pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was also handed a three-month driving ban and seven penalty points.
The court found that the defendant attempted to make a diagonal right turn on Domnitsa Lanitou Street, cutting off a motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction. Evidence showed she was travelling at 14 kilometres per hour, while the motorcycle’s minimum speed was 53 kilometres per hour.
“The defendant’s failure to maintain adequate oversight of the scene while attempting to turn right constitutes the basis of her criminal liability,” the court stated in its ruling.
The judge characterised the incident as a “momentary lapse of attention” rather than deliberate reckless behaviour, noting the defendant’s speed and driving manner before the incident did not indicate conscious disregard for safety.
The court also acknowledged contributing factors, including that both the motorcycle driver and passenger were not wearing helmets, and the driver was under the influence of controlled substances. However, these circumstances did not negate the defendant’s criminal responsibility.
The fatal collision occurred on 26 June 2022, when the defendant’s vehicle collided with the motorcycle, causing both riders to be thrown onto the road. The passenger died at Limassol Hospital, while the 21-year-old driver required hospitalisation.
Defence lawyer Antonis Antoniou successfully challenged allegations that his client had been using a mobile phone at the time of the incident, with the prosecution failing to prove this claim.
