Pafos Live 1 December 2025
Four people were arrested yesterday at the start of the football match between the AEL – APOLLON teams. Specifically, at around 5.25 in the afternoon, before the start of the match, approximately 50 motorcyclists who were going to the stadium, cut off traffic at the light-controlled intersection of Navarinou Street and Irinis Street. There, one of the above-mentioned people lit and threw a firework, while at the same time a number of firecrackers were thrown.
Members of the anti-riot squad immediately intervened, using chemicals. One of the above-mentioned people allegedly fired a naval flare at the members of the Police without causing any injuries or damage to property. The same person attempted to launch a second naval flare but was unsuccessful after a member of the Police stopped him and arrested him for the flagrant offences of rioting, and illegal possession, transport and use of explosives. It is noted that the person in question had his face covered with a mask. From the examinations that followed, it was determined that he was a 34-year-old resident of Limassol who was taken into custody. A used flare was recovered from the scene while an unused naval flare was found in the possession of the 34-year-old arrested person. A firecracker and a torch were also found in his possession, as well as various other items that were seized as evidence. Also, during the fan check conducted before the start of the match, a 26-year-old Limassol resident was found in possession of a cylindrical grinder containing traces of cannabis. The 26-year-old was arrested for a flagrant offense, however, when a member of the Police tried to handcuff him, he allegedly resisted, causing concern, while at the same time attacking the member of the Police as well as a second member who came to his aid and beating them. The 26-year-old was stopped and after being handcuffed, he was taken to the Limassol Police Headquarters where he was questioned at the offices of the National Police Service and subsequently taken into custody. A member of the Police went to the Limassol General Hospital where it was found that he had a wrist injury and abrasions. He was given first aid and discharged. Finally, approximately 50 people remained outside the stadium as they had not secured entry tickets. They were asked to leave by the Police members present at the scene. Two individuals from the above group of individuals are alleged to have insulted Police members and attacked them. They were arrested after resisting and taken into custody. They are a 39-year-old and a 24-year-old, both from Limassol, who were taken into custody.The 34-year-old was brought before the Limassol District Court on Monday morning (1/12) for a request for detention and the offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, illegal possession, transport and use of explosives, rioting and assault against a police officer are being investigated. His lawyer objected to the request of the Police, however, the Court approved it and ordered his detention.
According to the facts, around 5:15 in the afternoon, before the start of the match, about 50 people left the Apollon club on their motorcycles to head to the stadium. A little later, and while they were at the light-controlled intersection of Navarinou Street with Irinis Street, near the Limassol Central Police Headquarters, they stopped and after cutting off the traffic, one of the persons lit and threw a torch, while at the same time a number of firecrackers were thrown.
Members of the anti-riot squad of ADE Limassol immediately intervened, using chemicals. One of the persons allegedly fired a naval flare at the members of the Police, but without causing any injury or damage to property. The same person tried to launch a second naval flare, but without success, after a member of the Police immobilized him and arrested him for the spontaneous offenses of rioting and illegal possession, transport and use of explosives. It is noted that the person in question had his face covered with a mask.
From the examinations that followed, it was found that he is a 34-year-old resident of Limassol, who was taken into custody. A used flare was received from the scene, while an unused naval flare was found in the possession of the arrested. A firecracker, a torch, a white and blue hood and four disposable gloves were also found.
According to Filenews, when questioned in writing, the suspect admitted to being in possession of a flare, but denied possessing or using flares. He also claimed that the flare was given to him by an unknown person in the Apollon club.
From the examinations that followed, it was also found that the 34-year-old lacks a fan card, as, according to the Police, a criminal case is pending against him concerning the offenses of rioting and malicious damage since 2021.
Another 15 statements are expected to be taken in the case, while examinations will also be carried out to identify the person who allegedly supplied the flare to the suspect.
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Filenews
The dimensions of organized crime in Cyprus, especially the audacity of criminal elements, are terrifying.
The incident that took place around 23:30 on Saturday in a residential area in the center of Nicosia, specifically on Igoumenitsa Street in Strovolos, could endanger human lives.
It is not only the fact that the shooting in the office building of an administrative services company occurred at a time when people were moving around. What intensifies the concerns are testimonies received by "F" from the scene.
Neighbours with whom we spoke at the scene yesterday shortly after noon, told us that they were terrified when the incident took place 12 hours earlier. Two mothers informed us that their teenage sons were at the scene just a few minutes before the shots started to be fired by the perpetrator of the criminal act.
"Our sons are friends and they were here next to the open space, near the company's offices a few minutes before the shooting. They came home for a while and would go out again. Fortunately, the shots were fired when they came home and fortunately before the children could go out again," a parent of one of the teenagers told us.
As we saw with our own eyes, the shots fell to the left of the main entrance of the luxurious offices of the administrative services company. In fact, the fire was focused on glass, according to the snapshots we present.
However, the perpetrator or perpetrators also fired in other places on the side and back of the offices. The irrefutable witness are the marks on the masonry of the company's building facilities and the photos we received.
At the point where the bullets fell, there were fragments, pieces of the masonry. Of course, by the time we arrived at the scene, the investigations had been completed and evidence had been collected from the scene, which was not blocked.
The first actions
According to information from "F", the Cyprus Police received information about the incident at 23:50, ten minutes before midnight. Members of the Police who participate in patrols aimed at preventing organized crime immediately went to the scene.
As reported to us by a competent source, the police found bullet holes in the building and shell casings in the area. They immediately cordoned off the scene and the scientific and other examinations by the Police began. Evidence was taken from the scene, such as shell casings. According to the initial information, there were about 20 shell casings in the area, as many as the cartridges that the magazine of a military rifle holds.
They spoke yesterday with the owner
The Nicosia Crime Investigation Department the day before yesterday tried to contact the director and owner of the company by phone, but to no avail.
Finally, there was communication yesterday with the businessman. According to information, he allegedly stated that on Saturday he was away from Nicosia. Investigators of the TAE took his testimony as part of the investigation with the main goal of determining whether he has suspicions against a specific person. On the basis of what was put before us, he did not allegedly express suspicions against anyone. The investigators of the case took steps to collect visual material from closed circuit surveillance (CCTV) of the area, in an attempt to obtain testimony that leads to the identification of the person or persons involved in this criminal act.
Foreigners with criminal activity in Cyprus
There is a concern about recent criminal actions that endanger even unsuspecting citizens As "F" is in a position to know, the Police are very seriously considering the role of foreign actors in local crime. Police circles comment that the challenge to combat organized crime in Cyprus has now taken on other dimensions. And this is due to the criminal activity of foreigners on our island, who appear to have no barriers and to implement their plans, completely indifferent even to the possibility of collateral damage.
However, the criminal activity of foreigners in Cyprus is also recorded in the latest report of the Global Initiative against Cross-Border Organized Crime. The latter, through a program funded by the EU and the USA, compiles the global crime index every two years on the basis of Interpol data.
Among other things, he points out about Cyprus:
>> "Although extortion and extortion protection are not widely reported, isolated incidents linked to organised criminal groups suggest a more covert presence. Extortion in Cyprus often manifests itself in arson and destruction of property in retaliation when victims resist. The nightlife sector is particularly vulnerable to mafia-style violence, with high-profile killings suggesting a territory battle between criminal groups."
>> "Foreign actors play a significant role in the organized crime landscape in Cyprus, with individuals from Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the rest of Western Asia actively participating in various illicit markets. Russian criminal organizations remain influential in financial crimes (...)".
>> "Syrian and Lebanese organizations have a strong presence in the cannabis trade, taking advantage of Cyprus' geographical location to facilitate smuggling routes. The influx of asylum seekers, refugees and illegal migrants has contributed to the creation of new, non-Cypriot criminal networks, particularly between Syrians, Nigerians and Somalis."
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A burglar managed to enter a residence in Kouklia, breaking a door with a sharp object and managed to locate and steal items worth thousands of euros, as well as money.
According to the Police, the burglar entered the house in the area of Kouklies on Saturday, from 10 am to 7 pm, when the tenants were absent and took jewellery worth €3,000, banknotes of €600 and a women's bag worth €700.
The burglar's movements were recorded by the closed surveillance system of the house, which is being examined by the Police.
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The 40-year-old who was arrested yesterday as part of the Police examinations for the traffic accident in Athienou, with a 13-year-old driver, who was seriously injured, was interrogated, charged in writing and will later be summoned before the Larnaca District Court.
According to the data under investigation, the 40-year-old is the father of the 13-year-old and "owner and responsible for guarding the car that the minor was driving".
The 40-year-old "was arrested by virtue of a court warrant, for the purpose of police examinations regarding the circumstances under which the 13-year-old acquired possession and was driving the vehicle".
The Spokesman of ADE Larnaca, Spyros Chrysostomou, stated today that "the 40-year-old was interrogated, charged in writing and will be summoned later before the Larnaca District Court".
He noted that "the police are investigating offenses related to unsafe storage, allowed the driving of his vehicle by a person without a license and without insurance".
It is recalled that the accident happened around 10.30 on Sunday, on a dirt rural road in the province of Larnaca. The 13-year-old, according to the Police, "under circumstances that are being investigated, lost control of the vehicle, which deviated from its course and after crashing into trees, overturned in an adjacent field".
It is noted that "the 13-year-old was transported by ambulance to the Larnaca General Hospital and then to the Archbishop Makarios III Hospital, in Strovolos, where he was detained for treatment".
In relation to his "health condition is serious, however out of danger, according to the information the Police have received from the treating doctors".
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The 22-year-old driver of the double-cabin vehicle, which overturned in the early hours of Saturday in the area of Kakoratzia, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Aliki Nikolaou from Lympia, was placed in three-day detention by the District Court of Famagusta in Paralimni. The young man tested positive in a preliminary alcohol test with a reading of 37 mg. He is suspected of causing death by negligence, negligent driving, refusing or avoiding an exhalation sample for a final alcohol test, dangerous condition of parts in a car, without a certificate of suitability (MOT) and without a registration certificate, which had been suspended by the motor vehicle inspector. It is noted that initially the young man was arrested for a flagrante delicto, since during the final alcohol test he did not give a satisfactory exhalation sample.
According to information from Filenews, the preliminary examinations of the Police show that the driver of the double-cab vehicle developed high speed. There were 5 friends in the car, who were having fun in a property in Zygi. They then boarded the vehicle of the 22-year-old who would take them to their homes, as some were from villages in the province of Nicosia and some from villages in the province of Larnaca. In the fatal vehicle, in addition to the driver, were 17-year-old Alice, who was sitting in the back seat, as well as a 17-year-old, a 17-year-old and a 22-year-old.
The driver of the car was heading on the road from Kofinou to the Limassol-Nicosia highway. Around 2:30 a.m., at the entrance of the highway in the direction of Nicosia, under circumstances that are being investigated, the young man lost control of his vehicle, veered off course and crashed into a guardrail. The double cabin then overturned.
Members of the Police, as well as members of the Fire Service, rushed to the scene for examinations, with whose intervention the 17-year-old was freed. An ambulance crew transported her to Larnaca General Hospital, where, unfortunately, the 17-year-old died. The other passengers were slightly injured and were transported by ambulance to Larnaca General Hospital, where they received first aid and were discharged.
The Larnaca Traffic Police will take statements from all those on board the vehicle, while it will continue the examinations to clarify the circumstances of the tragic car accident that plunged Lympia into mourning. It is noted that the 17-year-old was an active member of EDON and the Philharmonic Band of Olympia Lympia. The popular organizations of Lympia, through a post, expressed deep sorrow for the untimely death of the minor, announcing that due to mourning, the regional feast of EDON scheduled for today in Pera Chorio is cancelled. Also, the event of solidarity for the Palestinian People at the stadium of Adonis Idaliou, was postponed to Saturday, December 6.
The exact causes of the 17-year-old's death will be determined today during the legal autopsy on her body.
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There is no end to cases of sexual abuse of minors. Every story that is revealed behind the closed doors of the courts is shocking. The Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol, which sits in the composition of Judges G. Petasis – Korfiotis P.E.D., Chr. M. Papallas E.D. and K. Ilias E.D., found today (1/12) a 36-year-old defendant and his 34-year-old partner guilty of serious offenses committed against the latter's minor daughter.
The Court's decision sheds light on a heinous, perennial pattern of abuse, which according to the Court's findings, lasted for about four years and remained in the dark due to the silence and impermissible attitude of the accused mother. The Criminal Court, after the guilty verdict of the two defendants, set a new hearing for mitigation speeches next week.
The 36-year-old defendant was found guilty of 16 counts of sexual abuse of a child in violation of Article 6(4)(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law. The offenses concerned the minor daughter of the 34-year-old mother.
According to the decision, in 16 cases in the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (four cases per year) the accused sexually abused the minor, who had not reached the age of consent. He touched her in controversial parts of her body, while it was judged that he acted by abusing the position of trust and power he had towards her.
The minor's mother faced two charges related to interference in a judicial process and failure to report suspicion. At the stage of the closing arguments, she admitted the first charge, while the Court also found her guilty in the second. It was found that on an unknown date in 2023, while she knew that the minor was a victim of sexual abuse, she failed to proceed with the relevant complaint.
For the purpose of proof, the Prosecution called 12 witnesses for the prosecution. The defendants were called to apologize but chose the right to remain silent. On the part of the 36-year-old's defense, a defense witness testified.
According to the findings of the Criminal Court, the minor had been living with her father since the age of four due to the separation of her parents. The 36-year-old defendant had been living with her mother since 2016. Because the father worked in the afternoon hours, the minor often went to the house where her mother lived with her partner and remained there for 3-4 hours until he picked her up.
During these hours, while the mother was away shopping or doing household chores, the 36-year-old approached the minor and committed lewd acts. According to the facts cited in a press release of the Court, the minor was afraid and wanted to cry. When she asked him to stop, he replied that it was "normal" and that "everyone does it".
Based on the testimony of the minor, which was accepted by the Court, the incidents began when she was 8–9 years old and lasted until the age of 11–12. They happened mainly in the afternoon hours.
In 2023, when the minor was 12 years old, she informed her mother about what she was experiencing from her partner, however, she did not make any complaint, despite her obligation. In the same year, at a meeting of the minor with an educational psychologist, the student stated that she did not want to go to her mother because her partner was committing lewd acts and when she told her mother, she didn't believe her. The psychologist activated the relevant protocol and informed the minor's father and the Police.
Although initially the minor was hesitant to file a complaint, a year later she confessed what she was experiencing to a friend, who eventually informed the Police, as a result of which the complaint was officially submitted.
