Filenews 25 March 2026
The Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca yesterday sentenced a 23-year-old man to six years in prison.
He was found guilty of charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession of drugs, illegal possession of drugs for the purpose of supplying other persons as well as illegal possession of explosives.
The offenses were committed on September 9, 2025, when, following a search pursuant to a court warrant, carried out at his home, a quantity of drugs and explosives was found.
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The presence and action of the Police last night was intense, throughout Cyprus, with organized patrols in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, ensuring public order and increasing the sense of security of the public.
Preventive policing operations resulted in the arrest of eight persons for various offences, including theft, causing malicious damage and driving under the influence of alcohol.
As part of these operations, during the night, 595 vehicles were stopped for inspection and a total of 796 drivers and passengers were checked. At the same time, 23 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of dealing with phenomena of delinquency. These inspections resulted in a total of two complaints.
During traffic checks carried out, 314 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations. Of these, 188 complaints from drivers for violating the speed limit stand out. 188 checks were carried out for driving under the influence of alcohol, during which 19 drivers were found to be positive. 45 tests were also carried out for driving under the influence of drugs, of which 15 drivers were found to be positive. As part of the police examinations, 6 vehicles were detained.
Coordinated policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue daily, with an enhanced police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action, in order to protect citizens and ensure public order.
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A rental car in Limassol was on fire.
According to the Police, around 5:50 today, a fire broke out in a rental car in Limassol, which was parked in a playground parking lot. The fire was extinguished by the Fire Service, while it caused extensive damage to the vehicle.
From the examinations, it appears that the fire was set maliciously.
Tests are being carried out to determine who was in possession of the vehicle during this period of time.
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The Police are investigating a new case of online fraud and extortion of a sum of money, through false investment advertising.
According to a complaint filed yesterday with the Larnaca Police Department, in January 2026, a 79-year-old resident of Larnaca responded to a company's advertisement for investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies.
After being persuaded by persons who presented themselves to him as representatives of the company, the complainant between January and March 2026, sent the sum of €254.679, on fifteen different occasions, through his bank account to bank accounts abroad that were indicated to him.
Later, when the complainant tried to withdraw his winnings, he was asked to pay additional money as alleged liquidation costs and then realized that he had been deceived.
The case is being investigated by the Financial Crime Investigation Unit, of the Larnaca Police Department.
On the occasion of this incident of internet fraud, the Police remind all those who intend to engage in investments via the internet, to keep the following in mind:
• In investments, and especially in cryptocurrencies, there are no guaranteed returns. Any suggestion of "sure profit" is most likely a scam.
• Scammers create a climate of urgency by pressuring their potential victims to invest immediately before the "opportunity is missed."
• Be suspicious of emails, messages through electronic applications or phone calls from unknown "investment advisors".
• Check if the investment firm is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission or equivalent EU regulator.
• Do not trust platforms that do not have complete contact information (address, phone). Many times, scammers create websites that are copies of well-known companies.
• Check the "blacklists" of the supervisory authorities for companies that have been denounced.
• Do not install on your computer, remote access programs that the "consultants" ask you to "help" with the investment
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The Police arrested two young people in Larnaca.
Specifically, a statement states that he arrested a 34-year-old man for illegal possession of drugs. The young man was stopped on a street in Larnaca and 359 grams of cocaine, 2 grams of cannabis resin, two scales, two mobile phones and a sum of €1.115 were found in his possession.
The 34-year-old was arrested for a self-inflicted crime and taken into custody to facilitate investigations. It was then presented to the Ass. Larnaca Court, which issued an eight-day detention order against him.
YKAN continues the examinations.
A few minutes after the 34-year-old's arrest, a 31-year-old man was stopped at the same place for a check. During the check of his details, it was found that an arrest warrant was pending against the 31-year-old, for a case of theft and causing malicious damage, committed in the previous days in Nicosia. Therefore, the 31-year-old was arrested to facilitate investigations and was taken into custody.
The theft was committed between March 14 and 15, 2026, when unknown persons stole two air conditioning machines from a store in Nicosia.
The case is being investigated by the Strovolos Police Station.
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KNews
A court in Limassol has issued what is believed to be the first conviction in Cyprus involving crimes carried out with the use of artificial intelligence, specifically in connection with material depicting the sexual abuse of minors.
The case concerned two young defendants who admitted to the charges. According to the court, their actions form part of a growing and deeply troubling trend, as technology is increasingly being used to facilitate serious criminal activity of this kind.
In its ruling, the court stressed that offenses involving the exploitation of minors, whether through traditional means or emerging technologies, are becoming more frequent and represent a significant threat to society. It underlined the responsibility of the judiciary to uphold the law and protect public order, noting that the defendants’ conduct targeted individuals who had done nothing to provoke such behaviour. The court described their actions as unacceptable, antisocial, and driven by selfish motives, adding that these factors weighed against them in determining responsibility.
Although the offenses were serious, the court imposed suspended prison sentences, taking into account the young age of the individuals involved. It also issued additional orders aimed at supporting their rehabilitation, emphasizing the importance of preventing reoffending.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the proceedings were conducted in private. The prosecution was handled on behalf of the Attorney General by government lawyer Nadia Koliarou.
