Pafos Live 15 January 2026
The Police are investigating a case of attempted murder against a 35-year-old man, which was committed last night in Larnaca.
Members of the Police (Kiti Police Station and Community Policing) went around eight last night, to an area of the village of Kition, after information about the detection of blood stains on the sidewalk of a parking lot.
On the same day, a little later, information was received from the Larnaca General Hospital that a 35-year-old man was taken for treatment, suffering from sharp object injuries. The 35-year-old had a wound to his left tibia, a deep wound to his right shoulder blade, as well as injuries to his right arm.
During the investigation of the case, while the examinations at the scene were continuing, a passing suspicious vehicle, for which there was information that it was transporting the injured person to the Hospital, was stopped by members of the Police for a check. The vehicle was driven by a 38-year-old man, with a 41-year-old woman as a passenger. Questioned orally, the 38-year-old admitted that he had injured the 35-year-old with a knife.
Further examinations revealed that the 38-year-old resides illegally on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and was arrested for the self-inflicted crime of illegal stay. During the investigations at the scene, a knife was found in the parking lot, which was taken as evidence.
In addition, it became clear that the vehicle driven by the alleged perpetrator belonged to the victim and that he transported the injured man to the Larnaca General Hospital. The injured man is being treated in the surgical department of the Larnaca General Hospital, with his health condition considered serious but out of danger. The 38-year-old was arrested on a court warrant and taken into custody to facilitate investigations.
Update - Evidence that shows that behind the motives of the perpetrator of the attempted murder in Kiti are personal rivalries, is in the possession of the Larnaca Police. The 38-year-old alleged perpetrator was watching the movements of his 41-year-old ex-partner and when he saw her with a 35-year-old man, he stabbed him five times, seriously injuring him.
According to information from Filenews from Police sources, the 38-year-old, who comes from Sri Lanka and lived in Limassol, previously had an affair with the 41-year-old. The 38-year-old rushed from Limassol and allegedly watched last night at a house where his ex-partner works. At some point he saw her leave the house and get into the vehicle of the 35-year-old, who is also from Sri Lanka. Then he appeared holding a sharp object and according to the testimonies in the possession of the Police, he stabbed the 35-year-old five times. Subsequently, because the victim was bleeding, the 38-year-old transported him in his vehicle (of the 35-year-old) to the Larnaca Hospital.
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Filenews
Answers about the identity of the unknown man, whose body was found yesterday at noon in the area of Avdimou, are awaited by the authorities, in order to officially confirm whether it is the 56-year-old Russian businessman, who had been missing since January 7. The autopsy will be performed at 12:00 at the British bases, by a medical examiner called from abroad by the Police of the bases and DNA samples will be taken.
According to the TAE Limassol, no possibility is excluded regarding the cause of death.
The body was found by a citizen on the beach of Avdimou, which falls under the ownership of the British Bases, alerting the authorities. From the first examinations, it was found that the body was in advanced decomposition, which makes it difficult to identify it immediately.
After an on-site autopsy was carried out, the body was transferred to the morgue of the British Bases, where an autopsy is expected to be performed today, while DNA samples taken are expected to provide answers about his identity.
Police are considering the possibility that the body belongs to the 56-year-old Russian businessman, however, this cannot be confirmed at this time. At the same time, all possibilities regarding the cause of death are being examined, without even ruling out criminal activity.
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The Police arrested three persons for different and serious offenses yesterday.
In a relevant announcement, it is stated that the dynamic and targeted preventive operations of the Police continued during last night, 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 three persons on a nationwide basis.
- In the province of Larnaca, a person was arrested for offenses related to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, illegal stay, etc.
- In the Limassol district, a person was arrested for driving without a driver's license, negligent driving and causing a road collision.
- While, in the province of Famagusta, a person was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (103μg instead of 22μg - immediate registration of the case in the Court today).
During the night, extensive inspections were carried out on a number of premises, with the aim of timely deterrence and suppression of delinquent behaviours.
As far as the road network is concerned, more than 360 inspections were carried out, which resulted in more than 120 traffic complaints.
Also, as part of the investigation of traffic offenses, 9 cars were detained.
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.
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The authorities arrested 34 people during the holiday season at the British Bases.
In a relevant announcement, it is stated that during the Christmas and New Year period, the Police of the Western Regions of the BB implemented Operation Dasher, a targeted police action aimed at maintaining security and strengthening the sense of trust in local communities during one of the busiest times of the year.
The operation was designed to address key police priorities, such as property crimes (including theft), drug-related offenses, serious traffic offences, and juvenile delinquency.
The operation was led by Senior Lieutenant Antonis Demetriou, who emphasized the importance of maintaining a prominent police presence and taking decisive action, especially during peak periods like Christmas.
He said: "It is vital that our communities feel safe during busy times, such as Christmas, and we are particularly proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by our police officers throughout this operation.
"Our continued presence and the results achieved clearly demonstrate our commitment to protecting our communities.
"Through high-visibility patrols and coordinated law enforcement campaigns, Operation Dasher not only tackled criminal activity but also provided a sense of security for residents while acting as a powerful deterrent in residential areas.
"BB Police remains committed to working closely with partner agencies and the public, with the goal of enhancing community safety and maintaining trust throughout the year."
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The two brothers from Lebanon, who are suspects in connection with the case of attempted murder against a 36-year-old Syrian, which was committed on December 20, 2025 on Anexartisias Street, were detained for a period of six days.
The two were brought before the Limassol District Court today, Wednesday, for a request for their detention, after yesterday, Tuesday (13/1), they surrendered from the British Bases. It is recalled that the two brothers, aged 30 and 20, were located by the British Bases Police in the sea area of Ormideia on January 3. With the assistance of the Port and Maritime Police, who were called to the area, the boat was stopped and the two wanted persons were arrested.
According to the data under investigation, the attempted murder was committed on December 20, around 19:00, while the 36-year-old was outside a café in Limassol. The victim went to the cafeteria half an hour earlier with two of his compatriots, where he saw the 30-year-old, whom he knew, along with another unknown man. As he reported, he was attacked unprovoked by the two suspects with a taser and then the unknown man stabbed him. As it was established from the examinations carried out, the perpetrator was the 20-year-old suspect, brother of the 30-year-old.
The two fled on foot after the incident. According to CCTV footage, after the incident the 30-year-old seems to have been left with one shoe and went to his barbershop, where he changed his shoes, before leaving. That same night, according to testimony obtained, the 30-year-old together with his 20-year-old brother went to a café of the former's ex-mother-in-law, where he reported that he lost his mobile phone and asked for the number to be cancelled, as his bank cards were registered on the phone.
It is noted that in the following days the Police received information that the father of the two suspects recently bought a large boat, suitable for long trips, in order to help the wanted escape by sea. At the same time, actions were taken to sell the 30-year-old's vehicle, in order to obtain money. On December 31, the father of the suspects drove the 30-year-old's car to a workshop in Limassol, where he left it with the keys and left in another vehicle. The father of the accused is wanted for the crime of complicity after committing a felony, while on December 30 he allegedly handed over the boat to an engineer to instal a large fuel tank. When interrogated, the 20-year-old, after his surrender to the British Bases, exercised his right to remain silent, stating that he would report what he had to say to the Court. His 30-year-old brother is expected to be questioned today, after the end of the process.
The Court approved the request of the Police and ordered the detention of the two suspects for a period of six days. The two suspects are being investigated for the offenses of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a felony and a misdemeanor, injury, illegal possession of dangerous objects, carrying a weapon, carrying a knife and possession of an offensive instrument.
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The West Paphos Communities Complex decided to appoint two investigating officers to conduct a disciplinary investigation into the case of the dead turtle found on a beach in Chloraka.
An announcement by the Community Council of Chloraka states that as the legal employer of the workers who spotted the turtle and the handling that followed, the Complex of Communities of West Paphos decided at its meeting to appoint two investigating officers to investigate the serious disciplinary offenses allegedly committed by the workers.
The investigation, the announcement emphasizes, aims at a full and substantial investigation of the facts and if responsibilities are found in the imposition of the prescribed disciplinary penalties in accordance with the provisions of the Disciplinary Code of the Collective Agreement of hourly paid staff.
The guiding principle of the actions, the announcement concludes, is the protection of the prestige and the proper functioning of the employer.
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An additional 20 witnesses will be added to the list of the Prosecution Authority in the case of the German real estate agent for advertising and exploitation of Greek Cypriot land in the occupied territories, the Nicosia Criminal Court decided today.
The indictment already includes 44 witnesses. The procedure returned to the examination of the first witness of the original list in the main trial with the examination and cross-examination of the investigator, Dimitra Stavrou regarding the investigative testimony of the German woman at the Nicosia Police Department after her arrest.
The defense had raised an objection to the addition of witnesses requested by the Prosecution with the completion of the second "trial within trial" and the submission as evidence of the formed text of the investigative testimony of the accused.
The President of the Criminal Court, Nikolas Georgiadis, said that there is no question of affecting the fair trial process nor will it affect the rights of the accused. He referred to a number of decisions of domestic and English courts in the decision because reference had been made by both sides to the English practice on the matter, citing a relevant textbook.
Mr. Georgiadis noted that the Prosecution is not excluded from using testimony that emerged after the referral, but it is necessary to send a notice to the defense in a timely manner, usually before the trial.
The defense's objection, he said, is judged to be unfounded, saying that despite the fact that the trial began on March 6, 2025, they are still at the initial stage, in the main examination of the first prosecution witness, since the Court's time to date "has been spent resolving issues of admissibility of testimony by conducting two trial proceedings within a trial, but also a series of other preliminary objections raised at the stage before the start of the hearing of the case".
"The request has therefore not been put at a stage that could adversely affect the line to be followed by the defense or that leads to the necessity of recalling other witnesses," he noted.
He considers, as he said, "misplaced" the connection of the issue of the continuation of the investigation with Article 11.6 of the Constitution. He also noted that the continuation of the investigation is not only aimed at securing testimony against the accused. It also concerns the possible investigation of testimony that may exonerate him.
Mr. Georgiadis, in relation to the European Investigation Order procedure, on 26/7/2024, stated that as can be seen from the minutes the day before the start of the hearing on 5/3/2025, material received by the German authorities had been handed over to the defense.
In relation to all the additional material, he added, it was not disputed that with the sending of each notification the material was ready and given to the defense, the choice of not receiving it does not create an obstacle to its use by the Prosecution Authority from the moment it was made known and available to the defense.
Regarding the volume of material cited by the defense attorney, the President of the Court said that the defendant's testimony includes as an attachment the documents and files that were located and which the Prosecution intends to present and this does not mean that the court interferes with the admissibility of the testimony that will be presented. "What has not been put before us is sufficient background to rule out the addition of these witnesses at this stage."
"We are therefore satisfied that the defense has been adequately notified and in accordance with Article 111 of the Criminal Code as to the intention of the Prosecution to call the witnesses in question and to present additional testimony that was not available to them before the date the case was referred for trial to the Criminal Court."
Mr. Georgiadis then numbered the additional witnesses in the relevant documents - presumptions that are related.
The prosecution witness - investigator Dimitra Stavrou continued today her testimony about the investigative testimony of the German woman at the Nicosia Police Department, based on the material of the questions and answers that remained after the deductions based on the decision in the first "trial within a trial". Attached to the testimony were also documents related to the activity of the accused's real estate office in Germany, excerpts from foreign magazines that had been shown to her when she received the testimony regarding the political situation in Cyprus. There was also a digital disc with material from an investigation by the investigative team.
Ms. Stavrou was cross-examined by the defense lawyer, Sotiris Argyrou, who stated from the beginning that the interrogation testimony in question given by his client in German, was not subsequently signed by her.
Mr. Argyrou submitted to Ms. Stavrou that the two European decrees searching the two premises of the accused in Germany were not issued in a legal way, the German authorities were misled with the police investigator answering that the warrants were based on a court decision in Cyprus which she cannot dispute.
The defense lawyer also asked questions about the documents on which Ms. Stavrou asked some questions when taking the testimony to the German woman and which were based on documents and evidence found in her possession during her arrest and were deemed illegal in the first "trial within a trial" with Ms. Stavrou answering that this was not the case, but he relied on the questions either on testimony material that the police had, or on the statement of the German woman herself.
The cross-examination of the witness by the defense lawyer will continue next Friday, while Mr. Argyrou told the Court that after the intention of 20 witnesses, he intends to request a six-month postponement for the study of the material and asked for the court's assistance to the Central Prisons so that during this time he can see his client if possible and every day after 3 p.m., in the presence of a German-language interpreter to examine the material.
Mr. Argyrou once again and in a strong way raised the conditions of detention of the client in the Central Prison, where – as he said – all her human rights are violated.
The President of the Criminal Court asked Mr. Argyrou at the next hearing to specifically mention his request on the issue of translation and indicated that the Central Prisons are independent and he should apply in a letter forwarding his request and if necessary later, to examine an issue by the court.
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The transfer of the admitted usurper of Greek Cypriot properties, Simon Mistriel Aykut, to his country of origin to serve the rest of his sentence is no longer in the realm of scenarios.
The 75-year-old not only submitted a relevant request to Israel where he comes from, but the neighbouring country has also approved it. At the moment, as a competent source told "F", the Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, and has correspondence with the competent authorities of the country.
"The minister has no choice but to consider the request," we were characteristically told, while the same source told us that at the moment Mr. Fytiris is in the process of exchanging correspondence with the competent authority of Israel, trying to ensure that Aykut does not fall into the soft in a possible transfer there to serve the rest of his sentence.
In our effort to deepen the status of the official correspondence between Cyprus and Israel on the issue, we were informed that Mr. Fytiris has received an answer as to the provisions of the penal code of the neighbouring country for the corresponding offense of usurpation. The same information states that there seems to be no discrepancy in terms of the prison sentence imposed in such cases.
We remind you here that the Permanent Criminal Court of Nicosia on October 24, 2025 imposed a 5-year prison sentence on the 75-year-old after admitting to the most serious charges he was facing ("fraudulent transactions in real estate owned by another").
However, the list of bilateral contracts for the transfer of convicts of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order does not include a corresponding agreement with the State of Israel. Cyprus and Israel have cooperation in areas such as defence and security, health, energy, science and migration.
However, the issue of Aykut's transfer to Israel has also concerned political figures, who express obvious scepticism about the possibility of his transfer. The letter sent by the president of the Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation movement, Stavros Papadouris, to the Attorney General of the Republic, Giorgos Savvidis, is indicative.
In the letter sent a week after the sentence was imposed on Aykut, the position was expressed that the sentence is considered low based on the fact that he built 10,000 housing units and made millions of euros and that another accused of advertising such illegal developments has been punished with 2.5 years in prison.
Subsequently, and based on the aforementioned position, Mr. Papadouris had asked about the fact that economic offenses were withdrawn from the indictment. He also asked the Attorney General whether there is a question of transferring Aykut to Israel to serve his sentence and whether there is such a request.
The MP of the Famagusta constituency (DISY), Nikos Georgiou, also made a relevant demarche on the possibility of transferring Aykut to Israel. He sent a letter last Wednesday (7/1) to the Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, asking seven questions.
It asks to be informed, among other things, "how it is ensured that a possible transfer of the convicted person will not undermine the execution and effectiveness of the sentence imposed by the Courts of the Republic of Cyprus, in accordance with the applicable legislation".
In addition, he asks whether the Republic intends to initiate civil proceedings against Mr. Aykut, but also "beyond the legal parameters that govern such cases, what is the political position of the Government on this issue".
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The hearing before the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court has been set for March 2026, with a 44-year-old coach and football team agent accused, who allegedly asked underage football players for nude photos and videos, offering them money and sexual aids in return.
The accused was brought yesterday Wednesday (14/1), before the Criminal Court, where he was charged with serious charges included in the indictment. The 44-year-old denied guilt and the case was set for a hearing in March, with him returning to the Central Prison, where he is being held as a prisoner.
Ten charges against him
The indictment includes a charges, including, gaining access to child sexual abuse material, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor, soliciting a child for sexual purposes. According to the facts of the unprecedented case, the 44-year-old allegedly solicited through Instagram and other communication applications from underage football players Photos and videos depicting their genitals, in exchange for sums of money.
In this case, two minors are allegedly involved as victims. According to the indictment, the accused allegedly suggested that they send him, through communication applications, photos and videos of sexual content, while he also allegedly sent them photos of his genitals himself.
In one case, he allegedly proposed to one of the two minors to meet in a hotel in Limassol, for the purpose of the sexual act for a fee. Specifically, he allegedly offered €150 for one hour and €500 for two hours. The offenses were allegedly committed during June 2025.
How the case was revealed
As revealed by "F", the case came to light when other parents of underage football players informed the parents of a 16-year-old, who immediately filed a complaint with the authorities. As we mentioned in a previous publication, in mid-June 2025, the 16-year-old complained that he plays for a team where the 44-year-old is a football agent and, from time to time, performs coaching duties. According to his testimony, at the end of 2024 he began to communicate with him through social networks, initially for training issues, however the communication soon took on a sexual character.
The accused allegedly sent him a photo and asked him if he was self-satisfied. The minor felt uncomfortable and informed his teammates, one of whom admitted that he had received similar messages.
Second minor – In exchange for money and sexual aid
During January 2025, the 16-year-old was added by an unknown user to a group chat on an app. He quickly realized that the account belonged to the accused. The user continued to communicate with the minor by sending him videos and photos. A second minor, according to the 16-year-old's claims, said that he received an offer from the 44-year-old to send him nude photos of himself, in exchange for €50 and a sexual aid. This minor allegedly accepted. The 16-year-old also stated that, after pressure, he sent photos, while the accused allegedly sent him nude photos himself and asked for videos of sexual acts.
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The Police launched an ex officio investigation after the screening of a documentary by the British Channel 4, which included allegations of sexual harassment of British women by their employers in Ayia Napa as well as illegal working and living conditions.
Specifically, the Police states that in relation to the reports that have seen the light of day and concern the possible commission of criminal offenses in the free area of Famagusta, an ex officio investigation has begun.
In addition, police sources told Filenews that efforts will be made to identify the person making the complaints in the documentary, with the aim of giving more information and giving a specific direction to the investigations. At this stage, as we were told, the published video is under the microscope.
In addition, the mayor of Ayia Napa, Christos Zanetou, speaking to the Morning Route, did not rule out that there are such isolated phenomena, which, as he pointed out, do not reflect the overall picture of the area. He noted that Ayia Napa is an international tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of visitors.
He underlined that there will be communication with the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police, in order to investigate which are these individual businesses that are breaking the law and to take measures.
He also said that for his part, the Municipality will identify the unsuitable premises where seasonal staff are accommodated, so that the relevant complaints can be made and the issue can be resolved.
An undercover Channel 4 journalist travelled to Cyprus as part of the investigation of the case and recorded what was happening in the area with hidden cameras.
In the documentary, he notes – among other things – that nightclub owners in Ayia Napa also proposed to the same job, in exchange for sex.
She says that in many cases, young British women are poorly paid, unaware that they are being employed illegally, and receive threats.
The journalist notes that these events are also happening in other regions of Europe.
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in-cyprus
A Ukrainian woman who reported being robbed of €420,000 in Limassol has been cleared of money laundering charges after police discovered she had made 20 trips to Cyprus carrying €7.8 million—but prosecutors failed to prove the money had a criminal origin.
The 32-year-old told police on 1 March 2024 that unknown persons on a motorcycle had snatched €420,000 from her. The report triggered an investigation that uncovered she had arrived in Cyprus 20 times between August 2023 and March 2024, transporting €7,769,300 in total.
Larnaca Criminal Court acquitted her on Wednesday of 20 money laundering charges carrying up to 14 years’ imprisonment. However, the court found a prima facie case on 20 charges of making false customs declarations, which carry up to five years.
The court also cleared a 43-year-old Ukrainian man who had received a package from the woman on 1 March, which allegedly contained money connected to the reported robbery.
Court: No evidence money was criminal
The court ruled prosecutors proved the woman lied about why she was bringing the money into Cyprus, but failed to prove where it actually came from was criminal.
“The Prosecuting Authority failed to prove a prima facie case against the defendants on all money laundering charges, whilst on the other hand, managed to prove a prima facie case against the defendant on all false declaration charges, but only regarding the purpose for which money was brought into Cyprus and not their origin,” the court said in its interim decision.
The court noted that evidence lacked elements showing the imported money had a criminal origin.
“Money was not used for the purpose the defendant declared. As to whether these had criminal origin, the evidence before us shows that the defendant, through her completions of currency declarations before customs authorities, referred to the sources of origin of each imported amount and the Prosecuting authority with the evidence it presented did not convincingly cast these in doubt, nor presented any other evidence about other suspects related to the acquisition of the money,” the decision stated.
In other words: the woman told customs where the money came from, and prosecutors couldn’t prove those sources were false or criminal—but she lied about what she planned to do with it once in Cyprus.
Proceedings on the false declaration charges will continue on 4 February. If convicted, the woman faces up to five years’ imprisonment on each of the 20 counts.
