Filenews 29 January 2026
Employees and teachers at the Polis Chrysochous High School were faced with an incredible situation in the morning, upon their arrival at the school. Unknown night walkers so far, proceeded to ugliness and damage inside the school which, according to a competent source who confirmed what happened to Filenews, constitute "pure looting".
The perpetrators entered the school premises and after breaking into a classroom, they found a number of keys to various classrooms of the high school, which they opened, caused damage and damage, and even threw eggs on the walls of various classrooms, creating a hideous image that was revealed in broad daylight. The perpetrators seem to have operated mainly in teachers' rooms and public spaces of the building complex.
Damage was also caused to the teachers' sanitary facilities, where it was found that both the men's and women's teachers' areas suffered serious damage.
The management of the City High School immediately informed the Police, whose teams went to the area a while ago and began examinations and collection of evidence to identify the perpetrators.
At the same time, the crews of the school and the School Board are working intensively to restore the premises to normal conditions, in order for the school to be able to operate normally today.
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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, the Police proceeded to arrest two persons. Specifically, one person was arrested in Limassol, for the self-inflicted offense of illegal possession of property, as well as one person in Nicosia, for a flagrante delicto offense related to a case of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Also, during the night, 327 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 414 persons on board were checked. At the same time, 25 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of preventing and suppressing delinquent behaviour.
From the traffic checks carried out, 103 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while six investigated cases of traffic violations also emerged. As part of the police examinations, seven 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
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Around 1.10 in the early hours of Thursday, there was an explosion in a 50-year-old man's car, while it was parked outside his residence, in the province of Nicosia.
Members of the Police, including a pyrotechnician, carried out the scene.
It was found that a factory firecracker had been placed in the car and exploded, causing damage to the vehicle.
Damage was also caused to windows of a neighbouring house.
The case is being investigated by the TAE of Nicosia.
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Members of the Police arrested a 31-year-old man today, as part of an investigation into cases of burglary and theft, committed in the period between January 16 and 25, in five premises in Larnaca.
These are burglaries committed in a café-restaurant, a hairdresser, two bookstores and an educational tutoring center. According to the data under investigation, a laptop, a loudspeaker, a piggy bank with charitable contributions, a cash register, and the total amount of €180 from the cash register of four of the five premises were stolen from the premises.
On the basis of the evidence that emerged, an arrest warrant was issued against the 31-year-old, under which he was arrested at noon on Wednesday and taken into custody for the purpose of police examinations.
The cases of burglary and theft are being investigated by the TAE of Larnaca.
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A case of extortion of a sum of €58,400 with false representations, is being investigated in Limassol by the Police, who for the purpose of police examinations proceeded to arrest a 50-year-old man.
According to a complaint filed with the Limassol Police Department by a 70-year-old man, between June, 2023 and January 24, 2026, he gave the 50-year-old the amount of €58,400, for the purchase of a house in the Limassol district. The 50-year-old failed to proceed with the transfer of ownership of the residence, which, as it was established by examinations carried out, belongs to another person and is not for sale.
As part of the investigation of the case, an arrest warrant was issued against the 50-year-old, who was located and arrested yesterday, by members of the Police, in Nicosia. This morning he was brought before the Limassol District Court, which issued a five-day detention order, for the purpose of investigating the case.
The TAE Limassol continues the examinations.
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The trial for premeditated murder of 26-year-old Alexandros Antoniou, who lost his life on the night of November 19, 2025 in Konia, with a 58-year-old Greek Cypriot as the accused, begins this morning at the Criminal Court that will meet in Paphos. - Note - now postponed until end of March
The indictment was filed with the Paphos District Court on December 5 by the prosecution after the completion of the investigations and the green light from the Legal Service. The district court referred the 58-year-old defendant to the Criminal Court and set the start of the trial for today on the charge of premeditated murder.
The tangle began to unravel in the following days of the unprecedented brutal murder of November 19 in Konia, which resulted in the death of 26-year-old Alexandros Antoniou. Bringing the 58-year-old to court, the Police cited shocking and breathtaking details about what happened during the period in question.
In addition to the significant development of the 58-year-old's admission about his involvement in the murder of Alexandros Antoniou, his reference to an unplanned action and the "bad time", as well as the regret he allegedly expressed during interrogation for the tragic outcome of the incident, the Police representative cited a series of very serious details regarding what took place in the evening of that day outside the kiosk on the central street of Konia.
In particular, it was reported to the Paphos District Court that from the closed circuit where the kiosk is installed outside, it can be seen at 6.16 in the afternoon of the fateful day that the victim parked his vehicle outside the kiosk, on its main façade and remained in the driver's seat talking on his mobile phone. Four minutes later, a man on foot appears approaching the vehicle, forcibly opening the driver's door, and grabbing the victim by his right shoulder. The victim tried to resist and the man appears to hit him on the neck, with an object he was holding in his hand.
Then in the visual material, the police spokesman said, the perpetrator of the attack can be seen going to the back of the kiosk and washing his hands in an outdoor sink. At the same time, the victim got out of the vehicle injured, entered the entrance of the kiosk and collapsed on the ground. The ring shows the perpetrator of the attack, after washing his hands, entering the kiosk through the back door, seeing the bloodied victim and leaving the scene on foot.
The Police spokesman also announced to the court that the kiosk employee at the time in question, recognized the 58-year-old suspect when she was called to the Police as the person who seems to be carrying out these events. In addition, the Police said today that they have a second written testimony from a person who was at the scene that they saw the alleged perpetrator tell the victim that he warned him not to bother his daughter and the 26-year-old replied that he did not bother her.
This witness also testified that he heard the alleged perpetrator urging the young man to go to the hospital quickly because, according to the 58-year-old's expression, he was losing a lot of blood.
The third testimony reported to the court that the Police possess is that of the person with whom the victim was talking at that time on the mobile phone. This witness testified that during their conversation, he heard a male voice threatening the 26-year-old that if he hurt his daughter again he would kill him.
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A long delay is recorded in the trial of the case of the murder of Andreas Kouzoupis and his 38-year-old Slovak friend, David Chmelar, who were murdered on July 30, 2024 and found charred on a dirt road in the Listovounos area, in the province of Limassol. The case is stalled and the only progress concerns the submission of admissible facts.
The second defendant faces serious problems with his defense, as a result of which he changes lawyer for the third time. The last lawyer representing him submitted a request yesterday (27/1) to the Permanent Criminal Court to withdraw, as, as she stated, after contacting the accused, they disagreed on the way the case was handled. He proposed that he be given the opportunity to appoint a new lawyer, with whom he will agree on his positions and will be able to promote them.
For her part, the president of the Criminal Court asked if there were any attempts to resolve the disagreements, with the lawyer answering that their positions are diametrically opposed on many issues. The Court gave the floor to the accused, who initially stated that he would represent himself on his own, while he would also consider finding a new defense lawyer.
The Court pointed out that this is a very serious case and stressed to the defendant that he does not appear to have the necessary legal knowledge and skills to represent himself. He underlined that this is not a simple traffic offense, but a case of premeditated murder. "Significant difficulties will arise during the process. The Court cannot assume the role of a lawyer. The lawyer has a different role," he pointed out, stressing that representation with legal aid has been approved.
The representative of the Prosecuting Authority, Senior Lawyer of the Republic, Andreas Aristidis, stated that he is deeply concerned about the delay of the trial, stressing that this is the most serious offense of the Criminal Code, committed against two persons. "We are moving far away from the date of the commission of the offenses," noted Mr. Aristidis, with the Court underlining that the issue had been raised in previous trials, in similar requests. The representative of the Prosecuting Authority, however, did not object to the lawyer's request for resignation.
Asked by the Court if he had a lawyer in mind, the defendant replied in the negative, but said that he would try to find one. The lawyer of the 1st defendant did not disagree with the request for withdrawal, stressing that he respects the right of the second defendant to have a lawyer who will handle his defense fairly.
In conclusion, the Court underlined that although the hearing had begun and admissible facts had been submitted, it was surprised, as once again permission was requested for the 2nd defendant's lawyer to leave, pointing out the long delay.
The Court approved the request to withdraw, stressing that it cannot force any lawyer to remain in the case as long as his request is to withdraw due to disagreements. He once again pointed out to the accused the difficulties arising from such procedures, noting that there are relevant provisions of the law which the Court can activate, in case it does not find a new lawyer but wishes to have one. The case was set at the end of the month, leaving no more room for the accused.
It is recalled that the two defendants deny the charges they face, which concern, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to murder, premeditated murder, arson of a car, illegal possession, transport and use of a firearm, illegal possession, transport and use of explosives, as well as arson of a state forest. The 1st defendant faces additional charges for drug supply, while the 2nd for drug possession. As is known, the motive for the brutal murder was allegedly financial disputes and drug-related transactions. Despite the fact that the two defendants, during their interrogation, admitted involvement in the case, their testimonies are contradicted as to who pulled the trigger.
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With a coordinated action plan and under draconian security measures, the six accused of the murder of 49-year-old businessman Stavros Demosthenous will appear today, before the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol. The execution of the businessman was committed on the morning of October 17, 2025, in the area of Sfalagiotissa, just 500 meters from the victim's residence. Demosthenous was shot dead in front of his child's eyes, while he was a passenger in his vehicle, with his murder causing shock.
For the first time, the defendants will all be before the Court together after their referral took place in two different proceedings in the previous period. Initially, the four (31-year-old, the two 30-year-olds and a 51-year-old) were indicted, while then the two 28-year-old expatriates from Georgia. The latter were arrested by the Greek authorities in Thessaloniki on October 30 after the issuance of European arrest warrants and transferred to Cyprus to be tried here.
As philenews is in a position to know, draconian security measures have been taken for tomorrow's proceedings, both for the transfer of the accused to the Court and for the whole process that will follow. Due to the two different indictments and separate referral procedures, the defendants will initially appear before the Criminal Court, in two different cases. A procedure for the suspension of the cases will follow and the accused will be temporarily released under the supervision of the Police in the area of the Court. Subsequently, they will be transferred to an adjacent room of the District Court where there, the case will be re-registered and referred again to the Criminal Court, this time with a single indictment that will include all the accused.
The charges against the defendants concern, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit murder, arson, illegal possession, transportation and use of a firearm, illegal possession, transport and use of explosives, theft of a vehicle, participation in a criminal organization and theft (only for the 51-year-old accused)
According to the evidence presented so far by the investigative team of the TAE Limassol during the detention and referral procedures, three of the accused had casual roles, while the three Greek expatriates from Georgia seem to have had a leading role in the "death contract" of the 49-year-old businessman.
The 28-year-old A.Z., according to the investigators of the Limassol Police Department, has been locked as the person who allegedly executed Stavros Demosthenous. The Greek expatriate from Georgia participated in the "death contract", with testimony from his close environment placing him in the frame of the execution. According to this testimony, A.Z. confessed 4-5 days after the murder that he participated in the crime, receiving a reward.
The 28-year-old I.Z., cousin of the alleged executioner, allegedly picked up the perpetrators from the place where they abandoned the motorcycle in Agios Tychonas, driving a BMW recorded by the security cameras. The vehicle moved towards the coastal front and was then recorded near the 31-year-old's house.
A 31-year-old man is positioned as the driver of the van at the time of the execution. Hewas initially arrested as an accomplice, as he traveled with 28-year-old A.Z. one day after the murder. They went by road to the occupied territories and from there, by boat, to Turkey, and finally ended up in Thessaloniki. The vehicle was located in Thessaloniki after the arrest of the two 28-year-olds. However, investigations showed that the 31-year-old had a much more active role. The 31-year-old was not only the driver of the van at the time of the execution, but also the driver of the motorcycle during the escape after the vehicle was set on fire. According to the testimony of the victim's son, the driver was wearing a round Zorro hat and black glasses. DNA of one of the 28-year-old defendants, as well as the 31-year-old, was found on the hat. The hat also bears evidence of a gun fire, while a facial testimony states that he saw the hat leave the driver's head and fall to the ground. Also, on September 26, he had ordered license plates for the priest's stolen vehicle, which was ultimately not used in the execution.
The 30-year-old convict allegedly instructed the 30-year-old H.S. to buy the perpetrators' escape motorcycle, providing him with instructions via mobile phone from the Central Prison.
The 30-year-old C.S. He allegedly brokered the purchase of the motorcycle from its 44-year-old owner (former footballer). He even contacted the convict via video call, asking for his approval before the purchase, while he allegedly knew that the motorcycle he bought would be used for the murder
A 51-year-old man, of Greek origin, was connected to the stolen Mitsubishi Colt, inside which jerry cans with flammable material and his DNA were found. The vehicles were recorded days before the murder following specific routes to the victim's house and the crime scene. The 51-year-old was released on restrictive conditions by the Court of Appeal, which overturned the first-instance decision of the Limassol District Court regarding his detention as a prisoner.
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At the beginning of March, the 45-year-old defendant in the serious case of possession of child pornography and production of child pornography material is called to respond to the 15 charges. Yesterday's proceedings, before the Limassol Criminal Court, were postponed with the accused remaining free with restrictive conditions.
The 45-year-old faces very serious charges related to possession of child pornography, acquisition of child pornography material, production of child pornography material and distribution of child pornography. In his possession, as Filenews is informed, about 700 image files and more than 10 video files were found, while the tragedy of the whole shocking case is that some of the files also concern his minor daughter.
The case came to light last summer when a detective serving at a US state police station was assigned to participate in an undercover investigation into crimes against children. A conversation on a specific app revealed the horrific secret of the 45-year-old, who in November was arrested by the Cyprus Police initially for offenses of child sexual abuse and possession of child pornography.
As revealed in a previous article by Filenews, through this online application, the police officer, using a pseudonym, managed to convince the accused that she was communicating with a mother of two minors. Then, he began to reveal his heinous actions, which he allegedly carried out on his minor daughter.
From the revelations made, the investigation of the case began, with the authorities proceeding with actions to locate the 45-year-old and analyze his details. The Police, in addition to the information they received from the USA, also received a signal from Europol as conversations with other persons were detected in addition to the undercover police officer.
From the examinations carried out through e-mails and devices, the 45-year-old foreigner was identified as their owner. Further investigations led to the identification of his place of residence and the members of the Cybercrime Branch proceeded to arrest him. In a search carried out at his home, mobile phones and laptops were found and received, which underwent forensic examinations. Among the items are the photos of his minor daughter.
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In 3.5 years of direct imprisonment, the Court of Appeal replaced the 27-month prison sentence with a three-year suspension imposed at first instance on a defendant, who was found guilty of possession of a quantity of about one kilogram of cannabis for the purpose of supplying to third persons. The prison sentence imposed today by the Court of Appeal starts on the same day.
The decision of the Court of Appeal was taken following an appeal registered by the Attorney General of the Republic for a manifestly inadequate sentence imposed, on the basis of the seriousness of the offense for which a sentence of up to life imprisonment is provided, the case law and the need for general and specific prevention and deterrence. It is noted that the sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeal despite the lapse of four years, the time it took to complete the judicial process and during which the accused was free. As the Court of Appeal notes in its decision "[...] The delay is assessed at the end of the procedure as a mitigating factor on the basis of the established jurisprudential principles, and is taken into account with the change in the personal and other circumstances of the offender".
On behalf of the Attorney General of the Republic, the case was handled by Ms. Sotiroula Michael, Lawyer of the Republic.
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The issues that arise during the detention of transgender people (Transsex), due to the lack of institutionalized procedures, are highlighted through the conviction of a 23-year-old woman from Brazil. She is a transgender person, who identifies herself as a woman and has legal recognition of her identity. The 23-year-old asked to be placed in the women's prison. However, she was "temporarily placed" in a separate area, outside the general population, in order, according to the Central Prison, "to prevent the risk of targeting or violence". The 23-year-old was sentenced on Tuesday, by the Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca, to 6 years in prison for transporting 890 grams of cocaine.
The Court took seriously into account, as mitigating factors, the special conditions and difficulties she faces during her detention, with her lawyer, Evanthia Konstantinou, asking for a permanent settlement. "It is generally recognized that prison systems, not only in Cyprus but also internationally, are called upon to manage practical challenges in cases of prisoners with particular vulnerabilities, even when every effort is made within the framework of existing structures. Given that the existing arrangement is temporary, we expect the Prison Department and the competent bodies to continue assessing the situation and, in accordance with European and international guidelines and the prescribed procedures, to proceed with a permanent arrangement, with full respect for human dignity", Ms. Konstantinou told "F".
Before the Court, he had asked for leniency for the 23-year-old, due to her immediate admission and her clean criminal record. She also noted that the serving of her sentence will be accompanied by an increased feeling of insecurity, isolation and daily psychological burden, since she does not speak Greek or English, as a result of which she already faces serious restrictions on communication, socialization and participation in educational or rehabilitative programs.
In addition to the above, the Court also took seriously into account a letter from the deputy director of the Central Prisons, who stated that "she dealt with the issue, respecting the personality of the accused and in general what is provided by the guidelines of the European Commission for the Prevention of Torture (CTP)". The letter states, as the Court notes, that the 23-year-old was placed in a separate area in order to prevent any risk of targeting or violence. For this action, the fact was taken into account, as it is added, "that the accused communicates only in the Portuguese language, as well as that any confinement of her in a completely isolated space would pose a risk of special burden, but also of possible isolation, which is not in line with international standards for prisoners". The Central Prisons, it is noted, gave "special instructions for increased supervision, prevention of harassment and ensuring that the accused will have access to basic prison services and activities and psychosocial support, to the extent that this is possible within the existing security and infrastructure restrictions".
The letter also claims that the fact that the defendant was not transferred to the women's prison is not a denial or underestimation of her gender identity, but only "a temporary, justified and reconsidered security choice, permissible according to international standards, when there are objective reasons for the protection of both herself and third parties". Finally, the Department of Prisons assured that it "adapts the measures based on human dignity, the prohibition of degrading treatment, equal treatment and the maximum possible protection of all persons in its custody".
She was threatened and forced to swallow cocaine
The story of the 23-year-old has many dramatic aspects, which were taken into account as mitigating factors, since at the age of 14 she began to undergo gender reassignment surgeries, while, due to this, she was forced to leave her city and went to São Paulo, where she lived with another transsexual. This person disappeared and the accused began to receive threats against her and her family, due to the financial debts of her roommate. "Due to the inability of the accused to find the required money, but also the nature of the threats made to her (accompanied by the sending of the details and photos of her relatives), she succumbed to them and accepted, in the form of payment of her friend's debts, to transport the drugs," the court states.
She said she was forced to swallow cocaine preparations, however, she hid some of the drugs in her underwear. The 23-year-old was arrested on October 21, 2025 at Larnaca airport, when she arrived on a flight from Qatar. When she was checked, packages with 540 grams of cocaine were found in her underwear. She then said that she also swallowed 35 egg-like packages of cocaine, weighing 350 grams, which she disposed of at the Larnaca hospital.
