Pafos Live 27 February 2025
In a direct trial before the Pafos Permanent Assize Court that will meet on April 7, the Pafos District Court bypassed the 31-year-old Russian who has been arrested for the arson of a Chinese family home in Paphos.
The Russian was arrested at the Ledra Palace barricade a week ago while trying to cross into the occupied territories. He has admitted to maliciously setting fire to the residence. The fire had caused extensive damage to the house and members of the family of six were injured while trying to leave the burning house at 3 a.m. on February 11. Until the start of the hearing, the 31-year-old will remain in custody.
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The Pafos Police Department continues its campaign to prevent organised crime and road collisions with stoppages and vehicle checks and checks on premises.
During the last operation last night, which was led by Pafos Police Director Kleitos Erotokritou, more than 50 vehicles were intercepted and searched, while pedestrians were also searched. A 24-year-old man was arrested in possession of cannabis weighing 18 grams as well as a precision scale, while a second driver, aged 38, was in possession of a half-smoked cigarette mixed with industrial tobacco.
During the checks, a 17-year-old was also found driving a vehicle that had been immobilized and without holding a driver's license and the necessary certificates, even having a 16-year-old as a passenger. Offensive instruments were also found in the possession of another driver.
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Filenews
Members of the YKAN proceeded to the arrest of two persons yesterday, as a quantity of cocaine weighing more than half a kilogram was found and seized in their possession.
A 48-year-old man was initially located and stopped for inspection at around 4.30pm. yesterday, while driving his vehicle on the Limassol – Nicosia motorway, despite the Zygi exit.
In a search of the vehicle, two nylon packages containing cocaine with a total gross weight of 363 grams were located and seized and the 48-year-old was arrested for a flagrant offence. Also, a half-smoked handmade cigarette containing cannabis, as well as other evidence, were found and received inside the vehicle.
Also, during the search of the vehicle, a package containing a quantity of cocaine with a gross weight of 100 grams was located and seized and the 36-year-old was arrested for a flagrant offence.
A search was also carried out in the 36-year-old's apartment, where a package containing a ketamine-like substance with a total gross weight of six grams, an airtight packaging machine, two rolls with airtight packaging bags were located and seized, while a search of the warehouse located and seized a nylon package, which contained a quantity of white substance, cocaine with a total gross weight of 101 grams.
The two suspects were subsequently arrested on court warrants and taken into custody to facilitate interrogations.
The YKAN (Limassol District Unit) continues the examinations.
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Police believe that the persons involved in the chase the other night, which resulted in the injury of a member of the Limassol Police Headquarters, belong to a gang of Georgian burglars. Investigations into the case are ongoing, as a specific area has been identified, where stolen goods and burglary tools were allegedly hidden.
Investigators at the ICF of Limassol appear convinced that the gang consists of about seven people, who had allegedly recently ravaged apartments and luxury residences in the areas of Agios Athanasios, Potamos Germasogeia and Mouttayiaka.
The 53-year-old Georgian suspect, who was arrested after yesterday's chase, was brought this morning before the Limassol District Court, which ordered his detention for a period of eight days. In addition to the burglary tools, gloves and surgical masks found in the vehicle driven by the suspect, according to our reliable information, powerful magnets were also found, which appear to be used to open residential security doors.
What unfolded on Tuesday night, before and after the chase, is reminiscent of scenes taken from a Hollywood movie. According to Filenews, the incident took place in the area of Kolonaki Street, when members of the Limassol OPE, in the context of patrols to prevent burglaries and thefts, approached a suspicious vehicle that was parked in an open area, behind a well-known supermarket. There were three people in the vehicle. In the same area there was a second vehicle with suspicious faces, which as soon as it realized the presence of the patrol car, escaped.
Police officers approached the first car, but the 53-year-old driver, as soon as he noticed them, closed the window and set his vehicle in motion. One of the police officers approached the car and showed his ID to the 53-year-old, while opening the door of the vehicle. Then, after starting, the suspect reversed, dragging the police officer for a distance of 3-4 meters, before hitting him on the patrol car that was behind. Fortunately, another police officer inside the patrol car realized what was happening and started the service car, preventing more serious injury to his colleague.
The 53-year-old driver developed speed and fled the area along with the other two occupants. Members of the Police followed the vehicle, with the driver moving recklessly and dangerously. At some point on the road, the vehicle collided with a car in front. In an attempt to stop him, members of the Police fired warning shots into the air. The three occupants abandoned their vehicle, near the lights of the Germasogeia Police Station, however, the officers managed to arrest the 53-year-old.
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A fierce fight broke out shortly before 10:00 pm, on Makarios Avenue in Larnaka, between a group of young people.
In a video posted on social media, a group of about 15 youths can be seen getting caught in arms outside a café, and even entering the road, with passing drivers trying to avoid it.
The Larnaka Police were informed about the incident and sent forces to the scene. However, at the sight of the police, the youths, believed to be foreigners, fled.
So far, no injuries have been reported and police are searching the area to locate the youths.
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in-cyprus
A 47-year-old Swedish national pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges related to his escape from a Larnaca clinic last December.
His co-defendants – a lawyer and a police officer – requested additional time to respond to charges.
The hearing at Larnaca’s Criminal Court proceeded after a bomb threat earlier in the day prompted an evacuation of the courthouse and car park.
The Swedish defendant, who appeared with a second lawyer, Rikkos Mappourides, alongside his initial counsel Antonis Vafeas, admitted guilt to two charges: conspiracy to commit a felony and escape from custody.
Defence lawyer Kyproula Andreou, representing both the 54-year-old female lawyer and the 44-year-old police officer allegedly involved in the escape, requested time for his clients to respond after receiving case evidence documentation today.
The court scheduled the next hearing for March 13, when the Swedish national will receive his sentence while the other two defendants will enter their pleas.
The female lawyer faces charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, providing assistance to a detainee, and money laundering. The police officer is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, providing assistance to a detainee, abuse of power, and corruption-related transactions.
Of the three defendants, only the Swedish national remains in custody after a Court of Appeals decision granted conditional release to both the lawyer and the police officer.
The Swedish fugitive escaped from a clinic in Larnaca on December 22, 2024, and was recaptured the following day in an apartment building under construction.
According to case details, the 44-year-old police officer allegedly facilitated contact between the detainee and the lawyer, and purchased mobile phone SIM cards and shoes used during the escape.
The lawyer allegedly provided the Swedish national with a mobile phone, chargers, sneakers, handcuff keys, and a map with a designated meeting point following the escape.
