Cyprus Mail 10 February
A Bangladeshi food delivery rider working in Nicosia is due to appear before a military court in the north after inadvertently crossing the divide while trying to deliver an order, his employer confirmed on Monday.
Hasan Kibria, a motorcycle courier employed by Foody, crossed into the north on Thursday, January 29, after being misdirected by GPS while searching for an address in Nicosia.
Kibria, who does not speak English and arrived in Cyprus in December last year, is believed to have been unaware that Nicosia is a divided city.
According to information received by the Cyprus Mail, Kibria passed through the Ayios Dhometios crossing from the south and was later stopped at the Kermia checkpoint after attempting to proceed further without completing the required procedures.
Unable to explain his situation, he was detained.
Kibria has since spent around ten days in detention and is expected to face a military court hearing on Thursday.
His employer, Andreas Kyriakides, told the Cyprus Mail on Monday that the company only became aware of the situation after the courier disappeared along with his motorcycle.
“Hasan is new to Cyprus and does not speak English,” Kyriakides said.
“We believe the GPS directed him the wrong way. I honestly have no idea how this could have happened otherwise.”
Kyriakides said Foody initially contacted the authorities after losing contact with the rider but received no clear information.
“When nothing came back, we started to consider the possibility that he had crossed to the north,” he said.
After about a week, Foody managed to trace Kibria’s whereabouts.
“We were informed of his situation by a Turkish Cypriot lawyer who was assigned to represent him,” Kyriakides said, adding that neither the police nor other authorities in the Republic have so far issued any formal comment.
Kibria was working legally in Cyprus and held a valid work permit at the time of the incident.
His motorcycle was also reported missing when contact with him was lost.
Kyriakides said the company is providing legal support and hopes the matter will be resolved quickly.
“This was clearly an accident,” he said. “We are waiting to see how the court handles it.”
There has been no official response from authorities in the north regarding the charges Kibria faces, nor any statement from police in the south.
The outcome of Thursday’s hearing is expected to determine whether Kibria will be released and allowed to return to his job, or face further legal consequences stemming from his unintended crossing.
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Pafos Live
The presence and action of the Police was intense last night, throughout Cyprus, with the conduct of organized patrols in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, ensuring public order and increasing the public's sense of security.
The result of the preventive policing operations was the arrest of seven persons for various offenses such as causing serious bodily harm, illegal stay in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, illegal possession of property and illegal possession of drugs.
In the context of these operations, during the night, 565 drivers and passengers were stopped and checked.
25 checks of premises were carried out in parallel, with the aim of dealing with delinquency phenomena, during which 2 complaints were filed.
During the traffic controls carried out, 176 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while 11 cases of traffic violations were also investigated.
Of the complaints made, 69 complaints by drivers for exceeding the speed limit stand out. In the context of the police examinations, 6 vehicles were seized.
Coordinated policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue daily, with increased/enhanced police presence, targeted checks and direct operational action, with the aim of increasing the sense of security of citizens/protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
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Filenews
An attempted murder took place at noon on Monday in Nicosia.
Around 4.20 yesterday afternoon, information was received from the Nicosia General Hospital that around 12.15 noon a 21-year-old man from India went to the Emergency and Emergency Department with a neck injury. He underwent surgery and is being held for treatment. His condition is stable and out of danger.
According to the data under examination, both the 21-year-old and the second person who accompanied him, under circumstances that are being investigated, seem to have been attacked by a person who was accompanied by four others.
Specifically, during an argument, one of the five persons allegedly attacked and hit the 21-year-old in the neck with a blade, while he seems to have stabbed the second person in the nose.
Immediately afterwards, the person in question fled on foot while the others remained at the scene to help the 21-year-old.
The TAE of Nicosia continues the examinations.
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The investigations of the TAE Larnaca are at a key point, in relation to the case of the horrific torture of seven people in a casino office in Pyla, allegedly linked to the 48-year-old man on trial for the shootings in the center of Larnaca on January 17.
The case began to unfold after a video of the torture was found on the two mobile phones of the prisoner. A 27-year-old man from Palestine is also in custody for it, while a 26-year-old foreigner, who was allegedly involved in the Larnaca incident, is wanted.
The cycle of arrests is expected to grow, according to police sources, since the analysis of 25 videos linked to the torture shows the involvement of at least two more persons.
The investigators of the case are now turning the investigations in many directions, in order to identify all the victims, to determine whether other criminal acts were committed and to clarify whether the 48-year-old suspect was acting at the behest of other persons.
That is why the analysis of 3.000 photos and videos found on the two mobile phones continues, while information about other criminal actions is also under the microscope.
Until yesterday afternoon, four of the victims, including both Cypriots and foreigners, had been identified and called to testify. The desire of the Police is to tie this very serious case to the testimonies of victims, but also to clarify the reasons why they were tortured.
What is clear is that at least two of the victims were kidnapped and tortured to "confess" involvement, one in the arson of the 48-year-old's vehicle (committed last summer) and the other in an alleged attempt to murder him.
The second victim, in fact, appears in 16 videos and as stated in the detention order, the 48-year-old seems to be "interrogating" him about various security issues, "since he thought he was watching his house, on the instructions of another person, with the intention of harming him". This aspect of the case, however, is also expected to be investigated by the Police, after the investigative testimony that will be taken from the defendant.
Three other victims were allegedly tortured to pay money, but it has not been clarified whether this is to provide "protection" or is related to other financial transactions. It is recalled that the incident with the clash and the shootings in Larnaca, according to the Police, unfolded when the 48-year-old and other persons rushed to get money for "protection" from a business owner on Larnaca Avenue. Grigoris Afxentiou. According to his complaint, he had been asked for €7.000 and then €1.000 per month, however, he refused.
At the same time, the investigations of the TAE Larnaca continue at another level with the aim of locating the two pistols that the 48-year-old defendant allegedly put in the mouths of victims, as well as the knives and other offensive instruments that can be seen in the videos.
In the office, located on the first floor of the casino, no weapons or other offensive instruments were found, however other evidence has been received, which has been sent for scientific examination. However, it was identified, based on the sofa and images on the wall, that this is the place where the torture took place, while the 48-year-old was also placed there.
This is the third serious case in a row being investigated against the 48-year-old, with Cypriot citizenship, who has previously served prison sentences, while he was free, on parole before he was arrested. In addition to the unprecedented case of the shootings, the person in question was also referred to trial before the Criminal Court for the beating of a citizen in Pyla, a few hours before the incident in the center of Larnaca.
It is recalled that as part of the investigation of the shooting, two well-known businessmen, 43 and 47 years old, were also arrested, who are accused of interfering in a judicial process, since they allegedly tried to persuade the complainant to change his testimony. The two were also referred to trial and are, on condition, free.
Update - Cyprus Mail - The torture reported to have taken place in Pyla did not occur in a legal casino, but in establishments operating illegally, the Cyprus Gaming and Casino Supervision Commission clarified on Tuesday.
Police said on Monday that investigations into an organised criminal syndicate had intensified after videos were uncovered showing the torture of at least seven people inside a casino in Pyla.
The commission stressed that the establishment shown in the footage “has nothing to do with the licensed casino-resort, nor with any of its satellite installations”.
“According to evidence available so far through public information, the incidents appear to have happened in establishments operating illegally as casinos, outside the institutional and regulatory framework,” it added.
The commission added that the licensed casino-resort operates “under a strict supervision and compliance regime, with clear obligations and procedures concerning, among other things, security, public order and player protection”.
The footage, described in court as “shocking and degrading”, was found on two mobile phones belonging to a 48-year-old already on remand over the violent brawl and shooting outside Larnaca police headquarters on January 17.
According to the police, the videos were recorded on multiple dates during 2025 and depict victims being held against their will inside what investigators referred to in court as an “office from hell” on the first floor of the casino.
Officers are examining more than 3,000 photos and videos seized from the suspects’ phones, with police saying the scale of the material points to sustained and systematic abuse.
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Members of the Paphos Police Directorate carried out a coordinated operation last night to combat crime and prevent road traffic collisions.
According to the Assistant Police Director of Paphos, Michalis Nikolaou, as part of the operation, 50 traffic complaints were made, while two people were arrested for illegally staying on the territory of the Republic and another person was arrested for possession of drugs and property that was not adequately explained how it is in his possession.
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Dozens of closed circuits monitoring the area of the arson, but also the route from Limassol to Nicosia and vice versa through Palaichori, led to the identification of the 28-year-old suspect from Greece, who was arrested for the arson in a car sales window belonging to a 37-year-old Romanian.
The suspect was brought before the Limassol Court on Tuesday morning (10/2) for a request for detention. His lawyers did not object and the request of the Limassol Police Department was approved, with the Court ordering his detention for six days.
As philenews is informed, a few minutes before the arson, a specific SUV vehicle approached the scene. Immediately after the arson and before the perpetrator returned to the car, the vehicle's running lights came on. The perpetrator then boarded the vehicle and then the car left the area at speed.
From the study of the cameras in the area, it was found that the sun canopies of both the driver and the passenger were down.
The vehicle was recorded following a course towards Agia Fyla and then, from the mountain villages, reaching Nicosia. From closed surveillance circuits at a gas station in the Limassol district, an SUV vehicle with the same characteristics was recorded moving towards Nicosia.
From the examinations of the TAE Limassol, the SUV vehicle was located outside a specific premises. After discreet surveillance, the 28-year-old suspect boarded the vehicle, and was then initially arrested for pending fine warrants.
As he claimed at the time of his arrest, he has been driving this vehicle for a month. From an inspection carried out, it was found that the SUV belongs to a company engaged in the car trade.
It should be noted that a court arrest warrant was also issued against a second person, who is wanted.
A subsequent search of the vehicle and the suspect's apartment found seven mobile phones, two radios and a 7,62 mm calibre military cartridge.
It is recalled that the fire broke out around 4:15 in the early hours of Sunday (25/1) inside the closed exhibition space, while the Fire Service was called to the scene, which proceeded to extinguish it.
The examinations revealed that the fire was set maliciously using flammable material, after the perpetrator broke the glass display case of the store, doused the interior with flammable material and then set fire, causing damage.
Two luxury cars worth €120.000 and €60.000 respectively were completely destroyed by the fire, while damage was also caused to the premises
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A 30-year-old woman was sentenced to 3,5 years in prison on Tuesday by the Paphos District Court, who was found guilty of burglary, theft and malicious damage.
The Court described the offenses as particularly serious, pointing out that the accused had previously been convicted seven other times for cases of a similar nature.
According to the facts of the case, the 30-year-old entered a residence in Paphos about a year ago, on the kitchen side, and removed property with a total value of €30.340 from the bedroom. Specifically, she took jewellery worth €30.000 and the sum of €340, which she placed in a pillowcase, while part of the money she put in her pocket.
The owner of the house noticed her presence and notified her husband, who was in the yard. The latter managed to immobilize her in a neighbouring park. The 30-year-old allegedly asked him not to notify the Police, promising that she would return the stolen goods.
During her detention, the accused claimed that the money did not all belong to the couple, however receipts belonging to the complainants were found among them. The Judge also noted that the 30-year-old wore the wedding ring of the owner of the house, which she had previously removed, talking about a complete lack of empathy.
In addition, as stated before the Court, on February 21, 2025, the 30-year-old went to another residence and caused damage to the ceiling of the owner's vehicle, amounting to €800, which has not been repaired to date.
The Court also heard the mitigating factors put forward by the defense through the lawyer Kostas Siailis, referring to the difficult life of the accused from a young age. However, the Judge emphasized that personal difficulties cannot justify delinquent behaviour.
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The Paphos District Court finally announced today, instead of tomorrow as originally reported, its decision on the request for the detention of the four people arrested during the operation of the anti-terrorist platoon in the center of Paphos on Sunday night.
Accepting the request of the Police, the court issued four-day detention orders for the four suspects, who had appeared before it yesterday and who were in custody until the announcement of the decision of the headquarters.
We remind you that the four, as the representative of the Police stated yesterday in court, were arrested on Sunday night in a restaurant in the shopping center of Paphos, following information that members of criminal groups, according to his expression, would have a meeting there.
The four suspects, two of Cypriot origin from Larnaca and two foreigners, were arrested when aggressive instruments and large sums of money were found in their possession for which, according to the Police, no satisfactory explanations were given. In particular, an iron fist and a sum of €3,000 were found in the possession of a 42-year-old man, in the possession of a 45-year-old man, an amount of €3,000, in the possession of a 29-year-old €5,000 and in the possession of a 30-year-old the amount of €12,810.
The first suspect stated that he is a recipient of unemployment benefit of €850 per month and kept the amount from this benefit, while he said that he bought the iron fist from a kiosk in Larnaca, not knowing that its possession is prohibited.
The second suspect claimed after his arrest that he had come from Romania to Cyprus on vacation, that he brought the money with him for his vacation and that on Sunday he arrived in Paphos from Larnaca by bus to eat at the specific restaurant.
The third suspect testified that he is unemployed, also receives an €850 allowance and that the money is the savings of this benefit. He also claimed that he arrived in Paphos from Larnaca to eat at the restaurant in question and that he does not know anyone in Paphos.
The fourth suspect has not officially testified yet, according to the police spokesman, because his mother tongue is Serbian and his lawyer raised the issue of his testimony being made in the presence of an interpreter.
The Police spokesman also told the court that according to the owner of the restaurant, 10 days ago the restaurant was exclusively reserved to celebrate the birthday of a specific person and that the patrons on the night of the police operation were guests of the celebrant in question.
Requesting the detention of the four suspects, the spokesman said that important investigative and investigative work remains to be done, since three statements have been received so far, while another 25 are still to be taken.
Investigations should also be carried out to the Labour Office, as he said, to confirm the claim of two suspects that they are recipients of benefits, to the Larnaca hotel to confirm whether one suspect is staying there as he testified, but also to the bus companies to confirm whether the second suspect went from Larnaca to Paphos by bus, as he testified.
Closed circuits in the area will also be examined, he said, to see how the suspects arrived at the area and whether they were accompanied by other persons in order to give statements as well.
