Pafos Live 11 June 2026
The Police are investigating a new case of extortion of money with false representations after a complaint submitted yesterday to the Paphos Police Department, a 27-year-old woman.
Specifically, according to what the complainant reported to the Police, she sent a message in a group chat in which she participates, on social media, asking for help with issues related to the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies.
Unknown persons approached her through this conversation, offering her help regarding questions she expressed. During their conversations, the scammers, with various tricks, managed to convince her and she sent them a number of cryptocurrencies, in three different cases, the value of which amounts to 12000 US dollars.
When the complainant did not receive money in her bank account, as expected, she realized that she was a victim of fraud and proceeded to file a complaint with the Financial Crime Investigation Unit, of the Paphos Police Department, which is investigating the case.
On the occasion of this incident, the Police remind everyone that behind any online account, any person can hide, regardless of how it is presented. That is why the public is once again called upon to always be careful and suspicious in all their actions on the internet.
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Five vehicles that did not have the necessary certificates were detained by the police in the area of Polis Chrysochous during a campaign organized by members of the Paphos traffic police.
During the campaign that took place from 4 yesterday afternoon to 9 last night in the context of the prevention of road collisions and the fight against juvenile delinquency, a total of 99 complaints of wheeled drivers emerged.
In addition to the five vehicles that were detained, the driver's license was confiscated from two drivers who were found driving under the influence of drugs.
It is recalled that from April 2026, the Police have the power to confiscate and suspend the driver's license on the spot in serious violations such as driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs until the trial of the cases.
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Filenews
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.
As a result of the preventive policing operations, 3 persons were arrested, for various offenses including possession of an offensive instrument, possession of drugs and illegal stay.
During the night, 480 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 588 drivers and passengers were checked. At the same time, 45 inspections of premises were carried out, from which 7 complaints emerged.
During traffic checks carried out, 373 complaints were made for various traffic violations, of which 72 concern speeding. A total of 87 alcohol tests were performed, with 5 positive results, as well as 6 preliminary drug tests with 2 positive results. Also, as part of the police examinations, 14 vehicles were detained.
Policing operations, for the prevention and suppression of crime, continue every day, with an enhanced police presence, targeted controls and immediate operational action, in order to protect citizens and ensure public order.
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The Police mobilized on Wednesday night (11/06) in Paphos.
According to the authorities, around 23:30 yesterday a number of shots were fired at a car, which was parked outside the house of its 72-year-old owner.
The scene was cordoned off and tests will follow this morning.
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The 24-year-old Greek Cypriot wanted for the case of attempted murder with a 23-year-old victim in Limassol was arrested in the morning.
The suspect appeared on Thursday morning at the Limassol High Police Station, where he was arrested on the basis of a court warrant issued against him.
The case concerns the serious injury of a 23-year-old Greek Cypriot, who was stabbed in the abdomen at noon on Tuesday outside a property in Kato Polemidia.
According to the evidence under examination, there was a heated argument between the victim and another person, which developed into a bloody fight. During the incident, the 23-year-old was seriously injured by a knife, while the perpetrator left the scene and escaped.
After his arrest, the 24-year-old is expected to be brought before a Court for a detention order.
Update - The 24-year-old suspect, a Greek Cypriot, who was arrested this morning, was taken into custody for a period of eight days, as he was wanted for the case of attempted murder with a 23-year-old victim in Limassol. The suspect presented himself around 7:30 on Thursday morning at the Limassol High Police Station, where he was arrested under a court warrant issued against him. He was then brought before the Limassol District Court for the issuance of a pre-trial detention order. The Court approved the request of the Limassol Police Department and ordered the suspect to be detained for eight days.
As Flenews is informed, when questioned in writing, he stated that whatever he has to say he will say in Court. It should be noted that the victim, after the surgery and while he was in the hospital room, in the presence of a police officer, said: "he made fun of me...", naming the 24-year-old. In a comprehensive statement given by the 23-year-old, he stated that the person who injured him was the suspect. He even said that there was a misunderstanding between them and that the suspect attacked him and injured him with a knife. Information, which is under investigation, states that the two young men were allegedly misunderstood via Instagram over fan content issues, but other motives are not ruled out.
It should be noted that tests are being carried out to locate both the knife and the assets that the 23-year-old had, since he was in possession of a bag, his mobile phone and €500, which were not found. At the same time, closed surveillance circuits of the area will be examined, which may have recorded the suspect's movements.
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The 42-year-old police officer spoke with a prosecution witness to testify in favour of the 45-year-old accused special constable who was arrested in May as part of a coordinated operation by the Police and the newly established Sub-Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (the so-called "Cypriot FBI"), for the dismantling of a criminal network with international connections and financial activity in Cyprus.
He is a member of the Police Force, against whom offenses allegedly committed between May and June 2026 in the province of Limassol are being investigated.
According to the evidence obtained by investigators, the 42-year-old, who serves as a police officer at a police station in the city, allegedly approached a prosecution witness in a case involving a 45-year-old special constable. As examined, he allegedly indicated or urged him as to the content of his testimony, so that it would be favourable to the accused in the case in question.
The 42-year-old is expected to be suspended, while upon completion of the examinations of the case, he will be charged in writing and summoned to justice.
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Under draconian security measures, the 2 businessmen, 44 years old from Larnaca and 42 years old from Nicosia, the 49-year-old on trial for the January 17 shootings and the 45-year-old who were arrested yesterday on suspicion of threats, blackmail and the formation of a criminal organization, following a complaint by an elderly person, were brought before the Larnaca District Court.
Upon entering the courtroom, the 49-year-old defendant started shouting, claiming that everything was rigged. "My family was destroyed, all set up. He is doing injustices," he shouted, among other things, in the room.
According to what was heard in court, the complaint was made on 05/03/2026 by the complainant.
Specifically, as mentioned, on 01/12/2021 the complainant, together with his son-in-law, sold two properties to a company in Pyla, whose director is the 42-year-old businessman from Nicosia. With the signing of the contracts, each of the sellers received €250,000.
A month later, the second businessman from Larnaca and the complainant had a meeting. The suspect allegedly introduced him to an unknown person and claimed that he had already agreed to sell the above two properties, with another buyer, for €8,500,000 and that there was a profit of €250,000 left that he would receive as a commission.
The complainant, as he claimed, was worried by the behaviour of the unknown person, because he knew that the suspected businessman was a person with influences on persons who concern the Police. Along the way, the complainant was convinced, due to fear, as he claimed, and gave the unknown person the amount of €40,000 in cash
According to what was said in court, the complainant then met the defendant.
In the year 2022, two of the suspects allegedly persuaded the complainant to become their partner in a betting agency in Larnaca and in this way extorted the amount of €25,000 in cash from him. They then allegedly extorted another €24.000 from him.
The complainant met the 45-year-old woman around the year 2020 who allegedly told him that she wanted to live with him in Greece. The businessman from Larnaca together with the indicted in the year 2022, according to the complaint, were informed about the complainant's relationship with the suspect and allegedly told the complainant that they would arrange for him to have a love affair with her.
Along the way, the defendant allegedly extorted €22.000 from the complainant allegedly for the suspect's child who was sick. In the second case, the 3rd suspect together with the indicted allegedly asked for another €22.000 allegedly to live together in Greece. Subsequently, they allegedly extorted more amounts of money from him with threats. Specifically, over a period of two years, they allegedly extorted about €100,000 from the complainant.
The last time the defendant allegedly asked him to give the suspect the sum of €5000, he refused. A week later, an unknown person allegedly fired a shot outside his home. The next day he found a bullet outside his house which he handed over to the Police.
Meanwhile, the complainant, according to independent testimony, until June 2022 received the total amount of €758,000 from the businessman from Nicosia. Along the way, the businessman wanted to change the agreement and all the other suspects pressured him to accept it and forced him to sign.
The businessman from Nicosia, in fact, allegedly gave him cheques which the businessman from Larnaca kept in his office.
The proceedings before the court are ongoing after some of the suspects' lawyers objected to their detention.
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The case of the 44-year-old coach and football agent of a team, who asked underage footballers for nude photos and videos, offering them money and sexual aids in exchange, took an unexpected turn. The hearing had progressed in depth and, as our website is informed, while the Prosecution was ready to present the testimony of one of the minor footballers, via video conference so as not to come into visual contact with the accused, the latter changed his answer and admitted to the serious charges he faces.
The indictment includes charges, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor, solicitation of a child for sexual purposes, and gaining access to child sexual abuse material.
After the defendant pleaded guilty, the facts of the case were set out and today, before the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol, in a closed-door procedure, his lawyer spoke asking for a mitigation of his sentence.
According to the facts of the unprecedented case, the 44-year-old asked underage football players through Instagram and other communication applications for photos and videos depicting their genitals, in exchange for sums of money. Two minors are allegedly involved as victims in the case. In one case, he allegedly proposed to one of the two minors to meet in a hotel in Limassol, for the purpose of the sexual act for a fee in exchange for a sum of €150. The offences committed in June 2025.
How the case was revealed
As revealed by "F", the case came to light when other parents of underage football players informed the parents of a 16-year-old, who immediately filed a complaint with the authorities. In mid-June 2025, the 16-year-old complained that he plays for a team where the 44-year-old is a football agent and, from time to time, performs coaching duties. According to his testimony, at the end of 2024 he began to communicate with him through social networks, initially for training issues, however the communication soon took on a sexual character.
The accused allegedly sent him a photo and asked him if he was self-satisfied. The minor felt uncomfortable and informed his teammates, one of whom admitted that he had received similar messages. During January 2025, the 16-year-old was added by an unknown user in a group chat on an app. He quickly realized that the account belonged to the accused. The user continued to communicate with the minor by sending him videos and photos. A second minor, according to the 16-year-old's claims, said that he received an offer from the 44-year-old to send him nude photos of himself, in exchange for €50 and a sexual aid. This minor allegedly accepted. The 16-year-old also stated that, after pressure, he sent photos, while the accused allegedly sent him nude photos himself and asked for videos of sexual acts.
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The case of the 61-year-old accountant, who is accused of embezzling an amount of up to €2 million from companies she managed, is now being brought to a hearing. The case was set today (10/6) before the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court, with the accused being called to answer to the charges she faces and concern theft by an agent and embezzlement of money. In one case the amount is said to amount to €1.7 million, while in the second to €314,000.
The accused denied the charges she faces and the Limassol Permanent Criminal Court set the case for a hearing in the new judicial year, in early October. It is noted that the accused remains free on parole.
It is recalled that during the investigations of the investigative team of the Financial Crime Investigation Office of the TAE Limassol, a new complaint emerged against her. Specifically, a businessman complained that, after an audit of one of the companies managed by the 61-year-old, it was found that the suspect allegedly embezzled a sum of money reaching €1,7 million.
As for the 61-year-old's way of acting, as reported in a previous article of "F", the money was allegedly transferred either through remittances to company accounts belonging to her relatives or through cheques issued to other persons.
Financial investigations were carried out into the case, including the opening of bank accounts, investigations at the Land Registry, as well as data examinations in companies directly or indirectly related to the 61-year-old. According to the testimonies collected by the Police, the 61-year-old worked as an accountant for companies for more than three decades in a well-known family of businessmen in Limassol, managing financial transactions and accounting issues.
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The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal of a foreign man against the decision of the Nicosia Criminal Court to continue his detention until the trial of a serious criminal case that brings him face eight charges, including rape, common assault, malicious harm, restriction of liberty, dissemination of pornographic material, psychological violence and abduction of minors.
According to the indictment, the accused allegedly raped his wife on February 5, 2026, while in the following days he allegedly attacked her, destroyed her mobile phone and prevented her from contacting other persons when she tried to ask for help. In addition, he is accused that during the months of January and February he threatened to send nude photos and videos of his wife to a relative without her consent, exercising psychological violence. He also faces charges of transferring the couple's two children out of the Republic of Cyprus without their mother's consent.
The appellant challenged the Criminal Court's decision to keep him in custody, arguing that there had been no evidence of a likelihood of his conviction, that there was insufficient evidence of a risk of absconding, and that the Court should have considered alternative measures, such as the imposition of strict bail conditions and an exclusion order.
The Court of Appeal, by unanimous decision of Judges M. Abizas, St. Christodoulidou-Messiou and I. Stylianidou, held that the Court of First Instance correctly exercised its discretion. As stated in the decision, the Criminal Court limited itself to the legal examination of the witness material on its appearance, without proceeding to an assessment of the credibility of the witnesses or to a judgment on the guilt of the accused.
The Court of Appeal found that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to support the charges, including the testimonies of the complainant and other witnesses, as well as evidence relating to the transfer of the children to Jordan. At the same time, it ruled that the defense's arguments about deficiencies in the investigation and bad faith of the complainant could not be evaluated at this stage of the proceedings.
In relation to the risk of evasion of justice, the Court noted that, despite the defendant's links with Cyprus through his work and legal residence as a political refugee, there are factors that enhance the risk of absconding. Particular emphasis was placed on the seriousness of the charges, the severe penalties he may face – including life imprisonment for the rape charge – as well as the fact that his children are no longer in Cyprus.
The Court of Appeal also agreed with the Criminal Court's position that the bail conditions proposed by the defence were not sufficient to neutralise the risk of evasion. As underlined in the decision, the issue of issuing an exclusion order is related to the prevention of committing new offences or influencing witnesses and not to ensuring the presence of an accused at his trial.
In conclusion, the Court of Appeal ruled that none of the three grounds of appeal was valid and that the first instance decision was fully reasoned. Therefore, the appeal was dismissed in its entirety and the order to detain the accused until the trial of the case was upheld.
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A Greek Cypriot firefighter was arrested by "policemen" in the dead zone of Pyla on Thursday, as informed by KYPE.
According to the information, the firefighter, accompanied by the United Nations police, had entered the buffer zone to see the area, in order to prepare a relevant report for cleaning from wild grasses due to the summer season.
At a specific point in the buffer zone, where they were illegally parked, "policemen" stopped the United Nations police and proceeded to arrest the firefighter, who, according to the same information, was taken to the village of Pergamos.
The Minister of Justice has requested information on the issue and there is an open line of communication with the competent bi-communal committee.
Update - The firefighter who was detained earlier by the occupying "authorities" in the area of Pyla was released at noon on Thursday, with UNFICYP Spokesman Alim Siddique saying that UNPOL officers ensured his immediate release.
According to information from the Fire Service, in the context of an inspection on deforestation issues in the boundaries of the Dead Zone towards the free areas, an Officer of the Service was arrested by the occupying authorities.
He notes that the Officer has been released and that the circumstances under which the incident took place are being investigated by the Police.
