Filenews 26 April 2026
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.
In the context of these operations, twelve persons were arrested for offenses concerning, among other things, attempted arson, assault causing grievous bodily harm, driving under the influence of alcohol and illegal stay on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
During the night, 947 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 1,225 drivers and passengers were checked. At the same time, 48 inspections of premises were carried out, during which 9 complaints emerged regarding the terms of their operating license.
During traffic checks carried out, 517 complaints were made about various traffic violations, of which 232 concern speeding. A total of 320 alcohol tests were carried out during which 35 drivers were found to be positive, while 2 persons were found positive in a preliminary drug test. Also, as part of the police examinations, 24 vehicles were detained.
Coordinated policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue daily, with an increased/enhanced police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action, with the aim of increasing the sense of security of citizens, protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
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It was reported around 10.30 last night by a 20-year-old resident of the province of Famagusta that, 10 minutes earlier, while walking on Martas Street in Ayia Napa, an unknown person attacked him and threw him to the ground, while under the threat of a knife, he stole a sum of money and his mobile phone.
The 20-year-old allegedly resisted, as a result of which the perpetrator injured his hand. The complainant was taken to the General Hospital of Famagusta where he was given first aid and was discharged.
The TAE of Famagusta continues the exams.
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A new tragedy occurred on the asphalt at noon on Saturday (25/4) this time on the territory of the British Bases, on the main road M1 in Akrotiri, with the victim being a foreign motorcyclist.
According to information, the car driver, also a foreigner, had stopped at the kiosk where strawberries are sold and then tried to leave by making a U-turn. Then, he allegedly stopped the course of a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction, on which two people were riding, resulting in a fierce collision.
In the accident, the driver of the motorcycle lost his life, while his female passenger was injured. Both were wearing full protective equipment.
In an official statement, the British Bases Police said that today, April 25, at 13:39, he was called to the scene of a traffic collision on the M1 road, near the strawberry stand, where a car collided with a motorcycle.
The death of the driver of the motorcycle was instantaneous, while the female passenger was taken to the Limassol General Hospital, suffering injuries, but her life is not in danger.
The driver of the car was arrested and then interrogated at the British Bases police station.
This section of the road remains closed for a few hours, while the authorities are investigating the exact causes and circumstances under which the new fatal traffic accident occurred.
The 60-year-old woman from Romania, who had been absent from her home in Limassol since April 22 and for whom a police announcement had been issued on April 24, 2026, was found dead yesterday.
According to the Police, the woman was facing health problems, while the examinations carried out did not identify, at first glance, anything that indicates a criminal act.
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As part of the investigations regarding car arson, an offense committed in the early morning hours of 22/4/2026 in Limassol, the Police proceeded last night to arrest a 29-year-old resident by virtue of a court warrant.
Specifically, around 2 am on April 22, 2026, a fire broke out in a car owned by an 81-year-old woman, while it was parked outside the house of a relative.
The fire, which was extinguished by the Fire Service, caused damage to the car, of unknown value at the moment.
During the investigation of the case, evidence emerged against the above 29-year-old, who was taken into custody.
The TAE Limassol continues the examinations.
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The Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of a Liberian man, ruling that his prolonged detention for deportation purposes no longer met the requirements of legality.
The decision, issued on April 21, 2026 by Judge E. Ephraim, concerns an application for a habeas corpus order, with the applicant claiming that he has been illegally detained since May 15, 2025. The Court, examining the duration and conditions of detention, concluded that, despite the fact that there was initially a legal basis for detention, the required diligence was subsequently not ensured by the competent authorities to promote the deportation.
The man entered the Republic of Cyprus illegally and applied for asylum in 2021, which was rejected in 2024 due to implicit abandonment. He was arrested in May 2025 for illegal stay and detained for the purpose of deportation. He then submitted a new application for international protection, which was also rejected, while his court appeals against the relevant decisions are pending.
The authorities argued that the detention was lawful, necessary and of reasonable duration, citing a risk of absconding and a lack of alternative measures. They also pointed out that the case had already been examined by the Administrative Court for International Protection, which had upheld the legality of the detention.
However, the Supreme Court focused on whether detention was still justified based on the length and progress of the deportation procedures. It found that, although reassessments of detention were carried out, these were limited to a repetition of the same reasons without substantial progress in implementing the removal of the applicant.
Particular emphasis was placed on the fact that no evidence was submitted to prove the actions of the authorities to secure travel documents or other preparation for deportation, especially in view of the pending judicial appeal without a clear timetable for completion. The Court held that the absence of such actions makes the prospect of deportation uncertain.
The decision emphasizes that detention for deportation purposes must be necessary, proportionate and last as soon as possible, while the competent authorities must act with continuous diligence. Where there is no realistic prospect of removal, the continuation of detention becomes unjustified.
The Court rejected the claim that the applicant's non-cooperation or the exercise of legal remedies alone justify the continuation of detention. On the contrary, it pointed out that the exercise of rights cannot work to the detriment of the freedom of the person without parallel activation of the Authorities.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court ruled that the application was well founded and ordered the immediate release of the Liberian man, while awarding the court costs in favour of the applicant.
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Unprecedented incident inside a church in the city of Paphos. Information from "F" states that during the Divine Liturgy in a holy church in a central area of Paphos, the former Metropolitan of Paphos Tychikos entered the church and headed to the sanctuary, in order to participate in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
The priest of this particular church approached Bishop Tychicus telling him that he has no right to participate in the Divine Liturgy, since he is on holiday by decision of the Holy Synod. Bishop Tychicos reportedly reacted to the suggestion and an argument and fight ensued between the two.
The priest felt pain in his neck, where he had recently undergone surgery and was taken to Paphos Hospital for first aid. He also expressed his intention to file a complaint with the Police against Mr. Tychicos as soon as he was discharged from the hospital.
