Pafos Live 23 January 2026
Unknown persons attempted to break into the offices of the Simos community council during the night. Their attempt failed, but they caused damage to the building.
The police also found damage to the building caused by a shot from shrapnel, perhaps from a distance. Based on the investigations so far, the two incidents do not seem to be connected.
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Filenews
A major operation of ADE Larnaca, in cooperation with many police departments, which started on the occasion of the unprecedented episode of clashes and shooting in the city center last Saturday afternoon, a few meters away from the Police Headquarters, launched rapid developments.
So far, the Police have handcuffed 11 people, 7 Greek Cypriots and 4 foreigners. Two of them are well-known businessmen of Larnaca and have been arrested, according to information from Filenews, as part of the investigations into Saturday's incident in the center of Larnaca and specifically for interfering in a judicial process. The operation to arrest them took place almost simultaneously, while extensive searches were carried out in their homes and premises. Both are expected to be brought before the Larnaca District Court, for the issuance of detention orders. The two suspects categorically deny what they are accused of. Among those arrested is a young man on trial for attempted murder committed in Larnaca.
Information from police sources states that some of the persons arrested have occupied the authorities in the past, with the cycle of arrests not excluded to grow further, given that the police operation is expected to be long. It is noted that among those arrested there are also security guards.
Most of the arrests, however, as our website is informed, are related to the possible commission of offenses attributed to organized crime. Some of the suspects are expected to be brought before the Larnaca District Court tomorrow in separate proceedings by the two businessmen, while some are expected to be charged in writing and released.
It is recalled that 6 people, five foreigners and a 48-year-old man with Cypriot citizenship, who is said to be the head of the group, are in custody for the shooting. This is a person who was injured during the incident and was hospitalized with head injuries. According to the complainant in the shooting case, he had been asked for €7,000 and then €1,000 per month for protection. The Police also have a complaint about the beating of a European citizen in Pyla, which seems to be related to the demand for money for protection purposes.
Update - Five people were arrested by the Larnaca Police Department, which is investigating a case involving the offenses of participation in a criminal organization, participation and acceptance of committing crimes, conspiracy to commit a felony, claiming property with threats for the purpose of theft, extortion, as well as money laundering.
The offences under investigation were allegedly committed during the period 2023–2025 in the province of Larnaca.
As part of the examinations, testimony was obtained according to which five persons were involved, aged 42, 22, 31, 29 and 29.
On 22/01/2026, arrest warrants were issued against the above persons, as well as search warrants of their homes and vehicles.
On the same day, a coordinated operation was carried out with the participation of members of TAE, HEPE, ADE Larnaca, YDAP and PPC, in the context of which the five persons involved were arrested.
During the operation, searches were carried out at the homes of the suspects, in the context of which a sum of money amounting to €1.050, jewellery of unknown value, mobile phones, two bulletproof vests, two pistol models, a folding bat and other items that will be evaluated as part of the examinations were located and received as evidence.
At the same time, two vehicles were confiscated and taken to ADE Larnaca for further examinations.
During a search of a house, a firearm was found, which was taken as evidence.
From the examinations that followed, it was found that the person in question did not hold a license to acquire and possess the firearm in question and, therefore, was re-arrested for the flagrante delicto offense of illegal possession of a firearm.
One of the persons involved (a 22-year-old) was arrested on the same day in the central prison, where he is on trial.
The five arrested are expected to appear today before the Larnaca District Court for the issuance of detention orders.
TAE Larnaca continues the exams.
Update2 - The two well-known businessmen, 47 and 43 years old, who were arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of interfering in a judicial process and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, in connection with the case of fighting and shooting last Saturday in the center of Larnaca, were placed in four-day detention by the Larnaca District Court. The 47-year-old is additionally suspected of illegal possession of property.
It is noted that draconian security measures had been taken by armed police officers inside the Larnaca courtroom.
The two allegedly met on January 21 together with the complainant in the shooting case. The meeting came to the attention of the Police and the complainant was called to testify where he made various allegations.
Their defense attorney, Antonis Demetriou, stated that he has no objection to their detention. However, he submitted a series of questions to the investigator of the case. In particular, he asked if the Police were aware that the complainant had a friendly meeting with the suspects and other persons on January 21. The investigator of the case replied that it is something that will be investigated. He also submitted that the complainant worked as a security guard in the 43-year-old's business and that after his testimony to the Police, he asked the 47-year-old to employ him.
It is noted that the two businessmen were arrested as part of a coordinated operation by members of the TAE and ADE Larnaca, as well as the YDAP Headquarters. The 47-year-old was located and arrested at the offices of his company, where in a subsequent search, on the basis of a court warrant, a large amount of money was found and received, as well as a number of bank checks. Specifically, €103.915 and 42 cheques were found. Three persons aged 44, 50 and 38 were also arrested, who were allegedly performing the duties of guards in the specific area, without having the required license to practice the profession of security guard, as well as for possession of wireless devices. Also, a test vehicle, driven by one of the security guards, was confiscated for further examination.
The second 43-year-old businessman was located and arrested later that day at his home. It is noted that the same businessmen categorically deny what is attributed to them, which followed what happened last Saturday.
It is recalled that 6 people, five foreigners and a 48-year-old man with Cypriot citizenship, who is said to be the head of the group, are in custody for the shooting. This is a person who was injured during the incident and was hospitalized with head injuries.
In the detention order filed with the court for the six suspects in custody, it was stated that two weeks before the bloody incident, the criminal group, allegedly led by the 48-year-old, approached a property businessman on S. Grigoris Afxentiou and seems to have initially asked him for €7,000 for protection and then €1,000 euros per month. The first strike was made by phone to the businessman, who is Greek Cypriot, by a person of Arab origin who is wanted and is said to have fled abroad. Threats over the phone followed, according to the complaint, while on Saturday the person of Arab origin went to the spot and asked again for money from the complainant, whom he allegedly threatened with a knife.
Shortly after 3 pm, vehicles approached the area at high speed and 20 people disembarked from them, including the 48-year-old and the arrested. These persons demanded money from the complainant and when he refused, they allegedly started beating him. Then the complainant together with a relative and two of his friends reacted and counterattacked with an axe and crowbars. As it was submitted to the court, the complainants used "similar violence", in order to "ensure their physical integrity and their 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 testified in 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 him. They allegedly accepted and so they began to be employed by the criminal group.
Update 3 - Terrible revelations were heard in court about the alleged action, according to the Police, of a well-structured criminal organization that for three years, as it was said, under the state of violence and fear, has been imposing security guards in nightclubs in Larnaca to receive money for their "protection". The five Greek Cypriots aged 42, 22, 31, 29 and 29, who were arrested yesterday as part of a broad operation to combat organized crime, were brought before the Larnaca District Court under draconian security measures.
Among those arrested is the 22-year-old Contract Soldier of the National Guard, who is on trial for the case of attempted murder against the 47-year-old businessman (he was also arrested yesterday for another case) that was committed on July 31 in the industrial area.
According to what was heard in court (the proceedings are ongoing) it all started after the confiscation of SYOP's mobile phones when he was arrested for the attempted murder of the businessman.
In them, 19 videos were found concerning the years 2023 to 2025 and in which the 2nd suspect is allegedly shown to be in possession of large sums of money, which he shows ostentatiously. Also, videos are found that show the video recording of various premises where it is found that the 2nd suspect is hiding objects, which are believed to be quantities of drugs.
In one of the videos, the 2nd suspect (SYOP) is depicted holding a bundle of large amounts of money in his hands, in which three €100 notes and a large number of €50 notes can be seen.
The type of cooperation between the 2nd suspect and the 1st suspect (42-year-old) is revealed, as told in court by the Police, in information received at the Larnaca Police Station on 12/12/2025, according to which, the 1st suspect belongs to a criminal organization which operates in Larnaca and the Larnaca District and has control over the trafficking of large quantities of drugs. The trafficking was carried out by the 2nd suspect, with the 1st suspect being the recipient of the proceeds from the sale of the drugs.
Also, according to the same information, as reported in court, as well as information that was forwarded to the Police, the 1st suspect is said to be the head of a criminal organization which is active in the city and province of Larnaca to provide protection to nightclubs, with the proceeds going to him. Both he and people acting for him, according to the Police, are found in nightclubs in Larnaca acting as security guards.
It is noted that in a second video found on the mobile phone of the 2nd suspect, he seems to state that the money he presents in this video comes from the collection of a specific nightclub in the Mackenzie area in Larnaca. Specifically, the video in question shows the 2nd suspect on a motorcycle, having a black bag in the middle which contains an unknown large amount of money and the voice of the 2nd suspect is heard saying allegedly: "Nabu re pelle, nambou re pelle, I have the rallies of XXXXX (the name of the nightclub is mentioned) re pelle".
The court also reported that financial checks were carried out on suspects 1 (42-year-old), 3 (31-year-old), 4 (29-year-old) and 5 (29-year-old) and it was found that the earnings they declared were not in line with their assets. "As a result of the above and in relation to the acquired testimony coming from the aforementioned videos, it is reasonable to suspect that the receipts from the criminal activity of the suspects are made in cash, which is believed to be kept in their homes," said the investigator of the case, Angeliki Dagli. He also noted that "all of the above is confirmed by the latest events that took place in the city of Larnaca, where a warring criminal organization, members of which are under arrest for other offenses, are trying to prevail in the city by taking control of the provision of protection of the night and other premises operating in the city".
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The conclusion of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority in relation to the scandal in Trimiklini, for which former state officials and current state officials are being investigated, was forwarded to the Police a few days ago.
The Authority's conclusion was forwarded to the Attorney General for study, since it does not have prosecuting powers. As "F" is informed by the Legal Service, the study of the conclusion with the conclusions and recommendations was studied by a team of legal officers and then instructions were given to the Police to investigate what is found by the inspector appointed by the Anti-Corruption Authority.
It is noted that for the case of Trimiklini and the fish farm that operated, the Police had started an investigation since 2025 after complaints emerged from the Audit Office. However, when the Independent Authority began an ex officio investigation into the issue of the diversion of the water of the Kourris River and possible illegalities, the police investigations were weakened to give the Authority time to complete its investigation. Now investigators of the TAE Headquarters who were appointed to examine the case, having in hand the conclusion and findings of the Authority, will call for questioning those involved and those shown by the investigation for possible responsibilities. At the same time, disciplinary investigations are also promoted depending on the Service served by the auditees.
The Police investigations are at a relatively advanced stage and developments are expected in the immediate future, with all possibilities open.
In its conclusion, the Authority, which was published on December 19, 2025, had identified evidence from which possible criminal responsibilities seem to arise for the former Minister of Agriculture, Nikos Kougialis, the former director of the Department of Environment, Kostas Hatzipanagiotou and the former director of the Department of Fisheries, Loizos Loizides. In its conclusion, the Authority recommends that disciplinary proceedings be brought against seven officials from the Department of Agriculture, the Limassol District Administration and the Department of Fisheries who were involved in the case.
The former Minister, as well as the two high-ranking former state officials, are now facing the possibility of criminal prosecution for the offenses of abuse of power and conspiracy. According to the findings of the investigation, the former Minister of Agriculture seems to have acted in a way that the investigating officer of the Authority characterizes as "completely arbitrary and abusive". Even more serious are the findings for Loizos Loizides (former director of the Department of Fisheries) and Kostas Hatzipanagiotou (former director of the Department of Environment). The investigation reveals a collaboration that aimed to legalize the wrongs before the official inauguration held by the then Minister of Agriculture Sophocles Aletraris. As recorded in the report on the former minister, he knew about the operation of the fish farms due to a request for water pumping from Kourris and approved a hierarchical appeal by their owner, despite the fact that a previous decision of the general manager had rejected a relevant request.
It is noted that after the announcement of the finding, the former director of the Department of Fisheries, Loizos Loizides, had requested in a letter the immediate revision of the announcement issued by the Authority "with the aim of restoring his personal and professional honour and reputation". The Authority replied that it rejects the allegations of targeting and vilifying him since its conclusion refers to "possible criminal responsibilities" and not guilt, in the Land of Dreams case in Trimiklini.
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Members of OPE Limassol in collaboration with members of the YAM of Morphou and Paphos, officers of the inspection service of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, and an officer of the Tax Department, in the context of a coordinated operation of the ADE of Limassol, carried out yesterday a campaign to inspect barbershops and other premises managed by foreigners in the province of Limassol, in the context of the implementation of the legislation of the law on assistant shops
During the campaign, according to the authorities, a total of 15 inspections of Barbershops were carried out on Anexartisias, Glastonos, Franklin Roosevelt, Misiaouli – Kavazoglou, Omonias, Chr. Hadjiipavlou, George I and Apostolos Varnava in Limassol
The inspections revealed that the 11 premises were closed, while 4 complaints emerged about barbershops operating without permission from the competent authority and in violation of the closing hours. Also, the restaurant under the name "Apostolou Varnava Street in Limassol" was denounced for operating without a license from the competent authority.
During the above inspections, the following complaints also emerged:
1) Three foreigners of Arab origin were arrested for the offense of illegal stay in the territory of the Republic.
2) Two illegal employments emerged and three foreigners of Syrian origin were arrested for the above flagrante delicto offenses.
3) Eight foreigners were reported to four premises for undeclared work and were fined a total amount of €26,800.
4) Also, 2 premises were reported by an officer of the Tax Department for non-issuance of receipts and use of an electronic card payment machine
Also, about 50 foreigners were searched in the premises in question without anything reprehensible to emerge.
It should be noted that the authorities will intensify the controls in the coming period.
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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 six persons for various offenses. Specifically, in Limassol, three persons were arrested for their illegal stay in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and three persons for illegal employment.
During the night, more than 136 vehicles were stopped for inspection, while more than 53 people in them were checked. At the same time, 43 inspections of premises were carried out, during which 20 complaints emerged concerning the operation of premises without a permit, undeclared work and non-issuance of receipts, with the aim of preventing and suppressing delinquent behaviour.
From the traffic checks carried out, 20 complaints related to various traffic violations emerged, while a total of 48 alcohol checks were carried out on vehicle drivers.
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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They found DNA of a 41-year-old man in evidence related to a very serious drug case and in particular possession of 50 kilograms of cannabis with the aim of supply, however, his genetic material cannot be a testimony before the Criminal Court.
This is due to the legislation of the Republic of Cyprus, which is not compatible with EU Law. In fact, the issue of harmonizing the legislation with a relevant European directive has been before a competent Court of the Republic of Cyprus for at least two years now.
The lack of foresight and the inability of the Cypriot State to harmonize with legislation was highlighted at the request of the 41-year-old's lawyer in the Supreme Court in order to issue a privileged Certiorari warrant.
The request was approved by a verdict of the Supreme Court the day before yesterday and thus the request for the 41-year-old was achieved, that is, the annulment of a decree that the Police had secured to take a sample of genetic material from him in the context of the case. Simply put, after the approval of the 41-year-old's request by the Supreme Court the day before yesterday, significant witness material of the case, related to his DNA, will not be used by the prosecuting authority in the context of the judicial process.
The lawyer of the 41-year-old, Giannis Nearchou (Ilias A. Stefanou LLC), presenting his legal positions in the context of the request, had submitted, among other things, that the article of the Police Law, which provides for the conditions under which scientific testimony is obtained ("Measurements, photographs, fingerprints, etc. persons in lawful detention") is not compatible with "Directive (EU) 2016/80".
He spoke of "the conditions set by it in order to justify such an intervention and processing of personal data", explaining that "therefore, the contested decree cannot be considered lawful".
The inadequacy of the Law
As recorded, in fact, in the decision of the Supreme Court, which shows the legislative lack of foresight, "the uncontrolled, general and unnecessary collection of such data is not allowed".
In the relevant verdict of last Wednesday, it is pointed out for Cypriot legislation, in fact, that "the necessity of obtaining biometric and genetic data is not a prerequisite in the law (...) Nor is there any determination of the nature or seriousness of the offenses whose investigation is intended, with the result that Article 25 (Police Law) results in the possibility of taking these samples with the sole criterion of lawful detention without particularly concerned with the specific conditions and safeguards and the principles of necessity and proportionality, as provided for in the above European Directive."
The Supreme Court also states that Article 25 of the Police Law "falls short of safeguards, provisions and conditions set by the above Directive".
The decision also cites the affidavit of the Police before the Limassol District Court, for the purpose of issuing the disputed decree for the collection of genetic material, with the Supreme Court pointing out: "No evidence or testimony was brought to the attention of the lower Court, capable of demonstrating the necessity of taking it again".
The verdict concludes as follows: "Having already noted that in the case under discussion and in the decree under appeal, there is no reference to whether the lower Court was satisfied that the relevant conditions of the above European Directive were met, without at the same time finding in the relevant affidavit any evidence or testimony capable of demonstrating the necessity and justification of the re-collection of the applicant's genetic material, The application is approved'.
It should be noted that the 41-year-old was arrested at a house in Kalo Chorio, Limassol on 26/4/2025 for a case of 50 kilograms of cannabis. The amount of drugs had been found two days earlier in a car that had been stopped for inspection as part of a YKAN operation. During the opposition operation, the 41-year-old allegedly escaped.
Knews
Cyprus' Supreme Court has firmly rejected the appeal of a man convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses against a minor, sending a clear message that the prison sentences imposed were not only tough but fully deserved.
The case dates back to a ruling by the Nicosia Criminal Court, which found the defendant, a barber by profession, guilty of a string of crimes, including child sexual abuse, child pornography, and related offenses. The trial court handed down concurrent prison sentences of 10 and 12 years, penalties the defendant later tried to overturn, claiming they were excessive.
The Appeals Court wasn’t convinced.
In its decision, the Supreme Court said the Criminal Court followed established legal principles and made no mistake in sentencing, stressing the exceptional gravity of the crimes. Judges underlined that such offenses demand severe punishment, not only to hold offenders accountable but also to send a broader warning that crimes against children will be met with zero tolerance.
The court also rejected any attempt by the convicted man to downplay his role, describing his involvement as central and leading, not peripheral as claimed in the appeal.
“The sentence imposed is strict but absolutely justified,” the ruling states.
The Supreme Court further reminded that sentencing decisions lie primarily with the trial court, and that an appeals court will only step in when a punishment is clearly excessive or clearly inadequate, a threshold the defendant failed to meet.
As a result, both grounds of appeal were dismissed, and the conviction, along with the prison sentences, remains fully in force.
