Filenews 20 January 2026 - by Natasha Christoforou
Pandora's box was opened by the bloody incident in Larnaca last Saturday, which endangered innocent citizens, when shots were fired on the busiest street in the city, Grigoris Afxentiou Avenue, during a fierce fight with axes, sticks and crowbars.
Mouths began to open for the perpetrator of criminal networks, which are the task forces of rival factions, which are trying to take control of the illegal "operation" of providing protection to businesses with threats, beatings and other criminal acts. The challenge now is one, because anger is overflowing and the patience of the citizens has been exhausted, to get the investigations to where they need to be, in order to strike the evil at the root. This desire was also publicly expressed by the Minister of Justice, Mr.Kostas Fytiris, with all the burden now falling on the Police, who are called upon to put the brakes - and even immediately - on this very serious criminal activity that does not only concern Larnaca.
It is an open secret that in the city of Larnaca and its tourist areas there has been a lot of turmoil, for some time, among business owners, since many have been threatened in the context of the ongoing war, so that the "protection" changes hands. After Saturday's incident and the minister's public appeal even for anonymous complaints, the flow of information about what has been happening in recent months in Larnaca has increased, with some of them being investigated by the Police.
The Larnaca Police Department has in its possession at least two named complaints against the criminal group allegedly led by a 48-year-old man, who is in custody at the Larnaca hospital. One comes from the businessman involved in Saturday's incident who, according to his complaint, was asked for €7.000 and then €1.000 per month for protection. The second concerns the beating of a European citizen in Pyla the previous day, from whom money seems to have been requested for protection. At the same time, the Police received information on January 16, as submitted during the detention process of the 48-year-old, that in at least two cases this group approached entertainment centers. In fact, in one, the protection is said to have changed hands. 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 for each private security guard. €50 is the guard's fee and €30 is the fee for protection.
"They even asked for money from souvlaki shops and kiosks"
Particularly revealing as to the way the criminal groups seeking protection act is a complaint received yesterday by "F" and concerns the "operation" to control the protection of the tourist area of Oroklini, in which dozens of businesses are active.
The complaint was made by a specific source, who for obvious reasons wanted to remain anonymous. It states that about two months ago, a group of 15 people began to approach business owners in the tourist city of Oroklini and demand money for protection. "They were riding in cars and going down to businesses in the tourist area and started asking 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 businesses, according to information, seem to have accepted the new arrangement for fear of criminal actions against them.
"F" contacted the mayor of Larnaca in order to get his position on what has been happening lately. When we put this testimony before him, he said that the same complaint was made in the Municipality of Larnaca, after Saturday's incident, stressing that "it seems to be true".
Mr. Vyras did not hide his anger at Saturday's incidents, 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 people were handcuffed for the bloody incident
Late last night, the Larnaca Police Department handcuffed five of the eight foreigners, who were wanted for the shooting incident last Saturday. The suspects will appear before the Larnaca District Court today, for the issuance of detention orders. 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. Three foreigners continue to be wanted, two of whom are said to have fled abroad.
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 all.
It is noted that those who can be seen in a video circulating counterattacking with axes and crowbars were not prosecuted. As testified in court by the Police, the complainants used "similar violence", in order "to ensure their physical integrity and their property". It is recalled that during the fierce fight, two shots were fired outside the fast food restaurant, fortunately without any of them being injured.
