Pafos Press 20 January 2026
The Paphos Permanent Criminal Court today imposed prison sentences of seven and thirteen years on two men, aged 38 and 50 respectively, after they were found guilty following a trial of a case of illegal possession and trafficking of drugs.
The case was investigated by the Paphos Provincial Police (YKAN).
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Filenews
Only questions arise from the revelations about the activity of organized crime in Larnaca, which began to come to light after the terrifying incident on Saturday afternoon on Grigoris Afxentiou Avenue, when shots were fired during a fierce clash with axes and crowbars. The case, according to the findings of the Police, is related to the demand of thousands of euros from a businessman for the purpose of providing protection from a criminal group.
As "F" wrote in today's publication, all the information converges that for months there has been an effort underway in Larnaca by warring factions to take control of the gold-bearing "business" of providing protection to businesses.
This is also confirmed by a complaint received today by Filenews, which was also brought before the Municipality of Larnaca and is related to the attempt of one of the criminal groups to take control of the provision of protection in the tourist area of Oroklini, in which many businesses operate.
According to the complaint, from a source who, for obvious reasons, wanted to remain anonymous, about two months ago, a group of 15 people began approaching business owners and demanding money for protection. "They were riding in cars, going down to businesses in the tourist area of Oroklini and starting to ask for protection by intimidating people. They asked for money on various dates from pubs, kiosks, and even souvlaki joints in the area. They were very provocative and in some cases even caused traffic problems with their cars. It was reported to us that the Police were also informed," he noted.
The owners of some of the stores, according to information, seem to have accepted the new arrangement for fear of criminal actions against them.
Filenews contacted the mayor of Larnaca in order to get his position on what has been happening lately. We also put before him the testimony we received and he told us that the specific complaint was also made in the Municipality of Larnaca in the last twenty-four hours and "it seems to be true".
The mayor of Larnaca did not hide his anger at Saturday's incident, which took place just 100 meters from the Larnaca Police Department. As he said, this is not the first time that these issues have been brought before the Police, noting that while trials and criminal cases are pending, the same persons repeat the illegal actions within a few days. "Organized crime is not only dealt with by patrols. Much more is needed to limit it," he indicated, adding that there is a will from the Municipality to support the efforts of the Police.
Five more people have been identified for the bloody incident in Larnaca last Saturday, which endangered innocent citizens, when shots were fired on the busiest street in the city, Grigori Afxentiou Avenue, during a fierce fight with axes, sticks and crowbars. So far, a 48-year-old man, a well-known person to the authorities, has been arrested, while a total of 8 people are wanted.
The three 35, 26 and 20-year-olds, who are alleged to be members of the 48-year-old's team, have been wanted since last Saturday and there is information that they may have fled abroad. Offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transport of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, extortion, claiming property with threats, participation in a criminal organization, assault causing actual bodily harm are being investigated against them.
Note - 5 have now been arrested
They are wanted by the Police
The following persons are still wanted to facilitate investigations into the fight and shooting that took place on January 17, 2026, in Larnaca .
- Anas. A.S. Alabit, 25 years old, from Palestine
- Abulweimer Ahmed N.A, 35 years old, from Palestine
- Ahmad Mohammad Abdul Kareem Azzazi, 26 years old, from Jordan
The Larnaca Police Department received information that the five suspects were involved in the incident, with four of them admitting that they were at the scene and one claiming to have an alibi. Panagiotis Hatzipanagiotou, lawyer for two of the suspects who are placed on the scene, objected to the request for their eight-day detention, indicating that they were randomly in the area and wondered why those who can be seen on video hitting other faces, as well as vehicles, with axes and crowbars were not arrested.
The investigator of the case, Athanasios Charalambous, replied that the examinations are at the initial stage and that closed circuits are being evaluated and those who appear to commit offenses will be questioned by the Police.
One of the suspects objected to his detention, who arrived at the court on crutches and claimed that he was not at the scene. The Police have testimony, however, that one complainant was beaten with crutches, from whom money was asked for protection. It is noted that among the arrested are two brothers, while their brother is also wanted for the case. In addition, 3 other foreigners continue to be wanted.
A 48-year-old man, with Cypriot citizenship, is also under eight-day detention, who yesterday underwent surgery, after suffering blows to the head and arm. Offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transport of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, extortion, demand of property with threats, participation in a criminal organization, assault causing actual bodily harm are being investigated against the suspects. In the detention order filed with the court, it is repeated that two weeks ago the criminal group, allegedly led by the 48-year-old, approached a businessman of a premises on avenue. Grigoris Afxentiou and seems to have initially asked him for €7,000 for protection and then €1,000 euros per month.
As it was submitted to the court, the complainants used "similar violence", in order to ensure their physical integrity and property. This was followed by two shots fired outside a fast food restaurant with a pistol held by a member of the 48-year-old's team.
It was also submitted to the court that on January 16, 2026, information was received that the 48-year-old together with 15 people went to a nightclub in Larnaca on January 9 and informed the security guards that they were taking over the protection of the property, however, they refused. The next day, the same group reportedly went to another nightclub and informed the guards that they were taking care of them. They allegedly accepted and so they began to be employed by the criminal group.
According to the data collected by the Police, the 48-year-old is allegedly paid by the owners of the nightclubs every night with the amount of €80 euros for each private security guard. €50 is the guard's fee and €30 is the protection fee.
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Much larger than estimated is the loot of burglars in a jewellery store in Ayia Napa. Although it was initially estimated that they snatched €200,000 in gold, it was eventually found that they had very expensive tastes and set their sights on jewellery with diamonds worth more than €1 million.
The Police were mobilized when at 4 am on Monday they were informed by the manager of a jewellery store in Ayia Napa that the alarm of the premises sounded.
As it was established, the perpetrators, who there are evidence that there were three, acted in a flash and grabbed what they wanted, as seen in a closed circuit surveillance, within 2 minutes and 40 seconds. They managed to enter through the sliding door and then broke the glass showcase.
Members of the Famagusta Police went to the scene, who conducted examinations and collected evidence. In addition, in Paralimni, homeowners from Russia, who live permanently in Cyprus, found that unknown persons broke into their house between January 17 and 18 and snatched a sum of €100.000. Examinations at the scene were carried out by members of the Famagusta Police, who found no traces of violation at the main entrances.
What is being investigated is whether the perpetrators managed to enter the house through the garage. Testimonies from neighbours are also being sought, as well as closed circuits that may have recorded the movements of the perpetrators.
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Three passengers who were due to depart from Larnaca airport on Monday were arrested when a large amount of tobacco products was found in their luggage.
According to an announcement by the Customs Department, officials of the Department at Larnaca airport, after evaluating information, proceeded yesterday to check the luggage of three departing passengers bound for the United Kingdom.
In the luggage of the 3 passengers, 210 boxes of 200 cigarettes (70 boxes in each luggage) were found, which did not bear markings for the harmful to health in the Greek and Turkish languages, an indication that they are duty-free, it is added.
The three passengers were arrested for flagrante delicto, while the luggage with its contents was confiscated.
They were later released, after their proposal for an out-of-court settlement of the case was accepted with the payment of an amount of €1,600 (€4,200 each).
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The 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, members of the Police identified and arrested a total of nine persons for various offenses. Specifically, in the province of Nicosia, two persons were arrested, one for illegal stay and one for fine warrants. In Limassol, two persons were arrested for cases of violence in the family, while in Paphos two persons were arrested for a case of assault causing actual bodily harm, one person for illegal stay, one person for illegal employment and one person for possession of a small amount of drugs.
During the night, more than 220 vehicles were stopped for inspection, while more than 290 persons in them were checked. At the same time, 20 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of preventing and suppressing delinquent behaviours.
From the traffic checks carried out, 92 complaints related to various traffic violations emerged. A total of 80 alcohol tests were carried out on vehicle drivers, from which one complaint emerged. At the same time, as part of the investigation of traffic offenses, three vehicles 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.
