Pafos Live 13 January 2026
The police proceeded to arrest four employees of the Chloraka community council on charges of animal abuse. An uproar was caused on social media after a video was released showing the workers aged 58, 47, 27 and 22 throwing and kicking the carcass of a turtle.
The Caretta-Caretta turtle washed up on a beach in Chloraka and council workers went there in order to remove the turtle from the shore. However, instead of placing it in a bag and transporting it to a licensed area, they started kicking it and throwing it in the air with their movements being recorded by citizens who were on the beach. From the investigations carried out by the police, the veterinary clinic, the DFMR and the community council, it emerged that the turtle did indeed wash up on the shore in the last few days and had been dead for at least a week.
In a statement, the Community Council of Chloraka expresses its regret for the incident, stressing that the actions recorded in the video are not in line with its principles and values. It is clarified that the employees were at the scene as part of standard practice for the removal of dead animals. At the same time, the completion of the investigations by the Police and the competent departments is expected, while the possibility of disciplinary responsibilities will also be examined, if findings emerge.
* * * * * *
Filenews
Two persons were arrested today by members of the Police in the provinces of Larnaca and Nicosia, in connection with two separate cases under investigation, concerning the burglary of a house and the theft of property from a building. The two suspects were taken into custody, with TAE Larnaca and TAE Nicosia investigating the two cases.
The burglary of a house in Larnaca was committed shortly after midnight on December 16 and was reported to the Police on the same day by the owner of the house. According to the complaint, various items were stolen from the residence, including gold.
From the examinations carried out by members of the TAE Larnaca, evidence emerged against a 21-year-old, on the basis of which a court warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested on Monday afternoon by members of the TAE and was taken into custody for the purpose of police examinations.
In Nicosia, members of the TAE proceeded on Monday afternoon to arrest a 48-year-old man, by virtue of a court warrant, which was obtained after evidence emerged during the investigation of a case of theft of property from a building in Strovolos.
The theft was reported to the Nicosia Police Department last Saturday, January 10. According to the complaint, four aluminium doors were stolen from the building. The members of the TAE conducted a search of the 48-year-old's residence, where in the yard they found two aluminium ones, which are believed to be part of the stolen property, after they were also identified by the contractor of the building.
* * * * * *
The dynamic and targeted preventive operations of the Police continued during last night, with an enhanced presence in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
As part of these operations, the Police proceeded to arrest a total of seven persons on a nationwide basis.
In the province of Paphos, four persons were arrested on the basis of court warrants as part of the investigation of a case concerning animal welfare, while another person was arrested for the crime of theft from a residence.
In the province of Limassol, two more persons were arrested for offenses concerning:
Assault on a police officer, resisting legal arrest, public insult and causing concern.
Possession of an offensive instrument and illegal possession of property.
During the same night, extensive inspections were also carried out on a number of premises, with the aim of preventing and suppressing delinquent behaviours in a timely manner.
As for the road network, more than 370 inspections were carried out, which resulted in more than 70 traffic complaints.
As part of the investigation of traffic offenses, 4 cars were detained, while a stolen motorcycle was also found during the checks.
These operations are part of a broad, continuous and strengthened preventive plan of the Police, with an increased police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action in all provinces, with the aim of preventing crime and strengthening the sense of security of citizens.
* * * * * *
Accompanied by armed police officers, the 22-year-old Contracted Soldier of the National Guard, who is alleged to be the perpetrator of the attempted murder of a 47-year-old well-known person last July, was brought before the Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca.
Today there was a certain procedure for the accused to answer whether he pleads guilty to the nine charges he faces. However, his defense attorney Christos Poutziouris asked for time, due to the fact that he was not delivered, as he said, important testimony material. That is why the process was postponed and set for February 2.
The accused faces very serious charges that carry up to life imprisonment. These concern attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, theft and theft. It is noted that a new charge of conspiracy to murder was added after the commission of the attempt, which is related to videos found on his mobile phone, which show that he was watching the target after the criminal act. In these videos, he allegedly recorded locations in which the 47-year-old was moving and even made voice descriptions.
According to the indictment, the 22-year-old from September 14, 2025 to October 13, 2025 conspired with another person in order to kill the 47-year-old. It is noted that although the accused allegedly acted on the orders of another person, so far, no evidence has been found that leads to the instigator. It is noted that the young man was scientifically linked to the scene of the attempted murder of the 47-year-old. Specifically, it was linked through DNA to the collar that fell from the perpetrator during his escape. The Contracted Soldier was implicated by testimony obtained by the Police, which brought him to admit in his circle that he was the one who shot at the 47-year-old.
This was followed by his arrest on November 17, 2025 in a parking lot in Larnaca. A 9mm pistol, a number of bullets, two anthropomorphic masks, as well as 4 mobile phones were found in his house. Besides, the 22-year-old also seems to be related to a stolen motorcycle, which was found in a National Guard warehouse in the province of Nicosia.
It is recalled that the attempted murder was committed shortly after 11 am on July 31, while the 47-year-old was heading by bicycle from the Industrial Area of Dromolaxia to the Krasa area. At some point he heard gunshots and saw a person, riding a scooter, shooting at him. The suspect then left the scooter behind and fled on foot. It is noted that the 47-year-old was not injured.
* * * * * *
The Administrative Court rejected the appeal of a Russian citizen and upheld the decision of the Administration to declare him a prohibited immigrant, as well as the detention and deportation orders to his country of origin.
In a statement from the Legal Service, it is stated that the applicant, a Russian national, arrived in the Republic illegally through the occupied territories and was arrested at the Ledra Street roadblock, on the basis of a temporary arrest warrant, as he was wanted on an international arrest warrant by the Russian authorities in connection with terrorism offenses.
As his extradition procedure was pending, the applicant registered an application for international protection, which was examined by the Asylum Service and rejected. At the same time, a decision was issued to return him to Russia. This was followed by the issuance of detention and deportation orders against him, due to his illegal stay in the Republic, but also because he was deemed dangerous to public order and security. Against the said decrees and the decision to declare him as a prohibited immigrant, the Applicant appealed to the Administrative Court.
As noted, the Administrative Court, and in agreement with the position of the Attorney General of the Republic, regarding his declaration as an illegal immigrant, upheld the decision due to the applicant's illegal stay in the Republic. Reiterating the binding case-law on the matter, it held that the registration of a subsequent application for international protection did not confer on the applicant an independent right to remain in the Republic.
The Court also highlighted the distinction between the extradition procedure and the international protection procedure, and rejected the applicant's position that after the withdrawal of his extradition application, the Republic should treat him as a beneficiary of international protection.
Finally, according to the Legal Service, the Court ruled that the applicant did not shy away from the burden of proof he bore, let alone to prove that if he was deported to his country of origin, he would be subjected to torture or degrading or inhuman treatment or his own life would be in real danger (violation of the principle of non-refoulement).
The case was handled by Katia Hatzidimitriou, Lawyer of the Republic A, for the Attorney General of the Republic.
CNA
* * * * * *
The 66-year-old man who was arrested for the serious incident of poaching in the area of Achelia in Paphos, during which gamekeepers were threatened with a shotgun, has been released on parole.
The 66-year-old appeared before the Paphos District Court, which decided to release him on parole, after paying bail of €5.000.
According to the data of the case, the arrested person was charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transport of a shotgun and explosives, poaching, as well as threat of violence.
Meanwhile, the 66-year-old refused to name the second person who was with him during the incident and who, according to the Police, is the person who pointed the gun at the gamekeepers before fleeing.
At the same time, the second suspect remains missing, with police investigations continuing to locate and arrest him.
