Pafos Live 4 August 2026
They tried to intimidate Phaedonos's defence.
The well-known lawyer Mr. Vrahimis refutes the allegations of intervention by the defense of Phaedonos to a witness called by the prosecution.
He criticizes the police for allegedly conducting an investigation against a defense lawyer for approaching a prosecution witness and even an expert to ask for clarification as to his testimony. Which approach is perfectly legitimate and permissible even before the criminal prosecution is brought and certainly before the witness testifies. Here, he says, it happened after he testified.
Mr. Vrahimis' position is that measures should have been taken for those who participated in such an investigation, essentially trying to intimidate and harass the defense when it does its job and intimidate.
The witness, he concludes, is not the property of any party and each party has the right to talk to him (if the witness consents) and if necessary to take a statement from him.
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The Police arrested a 26-year-old man, to facilitate investigations regarding an arson attempt in a forest committed in Larnaca on 02/08/2026.
Specifically, yesterday, around 7 p.m., citizens who were moving with their vehicle on a road in the Kornos area, noticed two persons boarding a vehicle and leaving the area. At the same time, they realized that a fire had broken out in an adjacent forest area, which they managed to extinguish before it spread.
As part of the investigation of the case, testimony and by extension an arrest warrant was obtained against a 26-year-old man for the offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, attempted arson in a forest and others, under which he was arrested and taken into custody.
The 26-year-old is expected to appear before the Larnaca District Court tomorrow, for the issuance of a detention order.
The Regional Police Station of Kofinos continues the examinations
Update - Filenews - The Police arrested another person yesterday, as part of the investigation of a case of attempted arson of a forest. According to information from Filenews, this is a 28-year-old Brazilian citizen, who is the partner of the 26-year-old who was arrested for the same case. The couple allegedly lit ground sparklers in the forest, i.e. fireworks that are placed and activated on the ground.
The 28-year-old was arrested on a court warrant and taken into custody. For the same case, a 26-year-old man, also from Brazil, was arrested, while police investigations continue
It is recalled that on Sunday, 02/08 around 7 p.m., citizens who were moving with their vehicle on a road in the area of Kornos, noticed two persons boarding a vehicle and leaving the area. At the same time, they realized that a fire had broken out in an adjacent forest area, which they managed to extinguish before it spread.
As part of the investigation of the case, testimony and by extension an arrest warrant was obtained against a 26-year-old man for the offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, attempted arson in a forest and others, under which he was arrested and taken into custody.
The 26-year-old is expected to appear before the Larnaca District Court today, for the issuance of a detention order.
It is recalled that earlier, the General Coordinator of Fires, Chief Fire Marshal Nikos Longinos stated that a female driver spotted a person setting fire to grass, using fireworks and then departing in a car, which she photographed. The driver then managed to put out the fire, before it spread, with water she had in her car.
The Regional Police Station of Kofinos continues the examinations
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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.
As a result of the preventive police operations, 19 persons were arrested for various offenses, such as illegal stay in the Republic, illegal possession of drugs, resisting arrest, failure to appear in Court, etc.
As part of these operations, during the night, 686 vehicles were stopped for inspection and 854 persons on board were checked. At the same time, 44 inspections were carried out in premises with the aim of dealing with phenomena of delinquency, during which 4 complaints emerged.
During traffic checks carried out, 356 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while 11 investigated cases of traffic violations also emerged.
Of the complaints made, 150 concerned exceeding the speed limit, while as part of the police examinations, 8 vehicles were detained. 90 alcohol tests were carried out, from which 4 complaints emerged, as well as 5 preliminary drug tests with 1 positive result.
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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Filenews
A fire broke out around 23:15 on Monday night on a motorcycle, which was in an open area in the area of Limassol.
According to the Police, the fire was extinguished by members of the Fire Service, while the examinations revealed that the motorcycle had been declared stolen since July 27, 2026. Investigations into the circumstances of the fire continue.
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The Police arrested three young people, as part of the investigation of a case of attack that took place on July 20, 2026 in a building in Limassol.
According to the data under investigation, the suspects allegedly went to the building and attacked other persons.
They are three men aged 25, 23 and 21, who were arrested under court warrants and taken into custody.
The case is being investigated for the offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, causing injury, claiming property with threats and other offenses.
The exams continue with the TAE of Limassol.
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The Police arrested a 34-year-old woman yesterday, as part of an investigation into a case of illegal drug possession committed last March.
The woman was arrested on a court warrant, after testimony emerged against her during the investigation of the case, and was taken into custody to facilitate investigations.
The case concerns the detection and seizure, on March 25, 2026, of cocaine with a gross weight of 359 grams, two grams of cannabis resin, two precision scales, a sum of €1,115 and two mobile phones.
For the same case, a 34-year-old man had previously been arrested, in whose possession the above evidence had been found.
The exams continue with YKAN Larnaca.
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The Police arrested a 22-year-old man for the attack on a police officer that took place in Larnaca on 31/07/2026.
Specifically, around 7:30 on Friday afternoon, while a member of Group Z was conducting a traffic check on Agyra Street in Larnaca, he signalled a motorcycle driver to stop.
The driver of the motorcycle ignored the relevant signal and after developing speed, hit the member of the Police and then left the scene. An ambulance was called to the scene and transported the member of the Police to the Larnaca General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a serious injury to his right hand, and was then discharged with instructions.
The 22-year-old driver of the motorcycle was located, arrested and taken into custody for causing actual harm, reckless or dangerous driving as well as other offenses.
The Minor Offenses department and the Larnaca Traffic Police continue the examinations
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Two injured people were taken to a hospital in occupied Nicosia on Monday, after an attempted murder that occurred earlier in the morning, while the two continue to be treated in serious condition.
As reported from the occupied territories, a man allegedly attacked a woman with a knife in a supermarket and then tried to end his life.
According to a statement from the "police", the incident took place around 11:45, when under circumstances that are being investigated, the man stabbed the woman for an unknown reason, as a result of which he seriously injured her.
Immediately after the attack, the alleged perpetrator injured himself with the same knife, attempting to commit suicide.
The two injured were taken to a hospital in occupied Nicosia, where they continue to be treated in serious condition. The "police" announced that investigations into the circumstances and motives of the attack are ongoing.
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The dispute over access to the sea is said to have been the reason for the incident, which, according to the complaint, turned into a fierce fight, with the 48-year-old Russian reporting that he was attacked by a group of people. A 40-year-old water sports owner was detained for six days in connection with the case, against whom offenses are being investigated, among other things, causing grievous bodily harm, theft and threatening. The Limassol Police Department is looking for other persons allegedly involved, while the examinations continue with the taking of statements and the investigation of closed surveillance circuits.
According to the complaint made to the Police, the incident took place on Sunday, when the 48-year-old went with his family to a coastal area near a well-known hotel in Amathus. As he mentioned, when he arrived on the west side of the hotel, from where there is access to the beach, he tried to park his vehicle. However, according to him, access was blocked by a private vehicle. The 48-year-old got out of his car and tried to locate the owner of the vehicle to request his removal. As he claimed, he touched the vehicle and raised the wipers to activate the alarm.
A little later, a woman arrived at the scene, who, according to the complainant, started shouting at him. A man then arrived, who, as the 48-year-old reported, asked him to leave the scene.
According to his testimony, the man then moved a boat trolley and blocked the entrance so that they could not leave in their vehicle. The 48-year-old also said that this man started calling and calling other people to go to the scene.
As he complained, a little later 4-5 people arrived, who together with the 40-year-old suspect started hitting him with fists, while he tried to defend himself.
The complainant stated that he managed to escape and enter the passenger seat of his vehicle, where his minor children were in the back seats. As he claimed, these people opened the door and hit him again, while the 40-year-old allegedly threw stones at the vehicle, with one of them hitting him in the chest.
After the incident, the 48-year-old went to the Germasogeia Police Station, where he made a complaint and pointed out to the members of the Police a person who, as he mentioned, participated in the incident.
The 48-year-old was taken to a private hospital, where he was found to have a fractured nose, abrasions on his hands and a hematoma on his forehead.
His wife, moreover, claimed that the suspect removed their vehicle's temporary license plates and threatened to kill them if they filed a complaint with the Police.
The position of the 40-year-old
An arrest warrant was issued against the 40-year-old and he was arrested at the Limassol General Hospital, where he had gone for medical examinations. As it was established, he had multiple facial injuries and was kept for treatment in the operating room of the Limassol General Hospital, under guard.
When interrogated, the 40-year-old gave his own version, claiming that he is the owner of a water sport and that, with the permission of the Municipality of Amathus, he parks his vehicle on the road leading to the beach.
As he mentioned, the purpose was not to allow other vehicles to enter and for there to be no car access to the beach. He also claimed that he was informed by an employee that the 48-year-old caused damage to his vehicle and then went to the scene, where, as he claimed, there was an argument.
The 40-year-old reported that he moved the trolley and blocked the road until the Police arrived to report the damage. As he claimed, then the 48-year-old attacked him and punched him in the face. He admitted that he threw a stone at the 48-year-old's vehicle and that he took his license plates for testimony purposes.
Today, members of the Limassol Police Department requested from the Limassol District Court the issuance of a detention order for the 40-year-old, with the request being examined in his absence. His lawyer objected to the request and the Court limited his detention to a period of six days.
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Twelve years after the closure of the branch of FBME Bank Ltd in Cyprus, for which a liquidator has been appointed since 2023, it is still of concern to the Courts, while through affidavits of members of MOKAS, important evidence emerges about accounts of millions that were maintained and which are related to the former president of Angola and his daughter.
Through a unilateral application by five applicants (one natural and four legal persons) beneficiaries of bank accounts at the FBME branch in Cyprus, details of the corruption offences being investigated by the Angolan authorities have come to light. The five applicants sought the permission of the Supreme Court to register an application by summons for the issuance of a Privileged Warrant of Certiorari, annulling the interim order of freezing issued on 16.6.2026 by the Nicosia District Court.
They also requested "a Decree and/or Decision of the Supreme Court suspending the validity of the Preservation Decree until the end of the hearing of the appeal to be registered or another order of the Supreme Court".
According to today's decision of the Supreme Court, the Anti-Cover-up Offences Unit (MOKAS) is executing a request for judicial assistance, which was sent on 26.5.2026 by the competent authorities of the Republic of Angola (Republica de Angola) to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus. This request was also forwarded on 8.6.2026 to the Attorney General for enforcement in relation to the part concerning the freezing of assets/illegal proceeds.
In an affidavit by a member of the Unit, it is stated that the competent authorities of the Republic of Angola request the freezing of the specific accounts that applicants hold at the branch of FBME Bank Ltd in Cyprus, and which are allegedly related to Isabel Dos Santos, from the Republic of Angola, daughter of the former president of the country, José Eduarto Dos Santos. The daughter in question is said to be involved in many serious corruption, fraud and embezzlement scandals in her country, which have brought her untold fortune. In fact, the competent authorities of the Republic of Angola have already requested, through Interpol, the issuance of an international arrest warrant (red notice).
According to the affidavit, as far as the holders of the disputed accounts are concerned, the competent authorities of Angola have reasonable suspicions that the companies that hold the disputed accounts are all shell companies since the persons involved, i.e. the accused, her mother and the deceased husband of the accused, are their real beneficiaries. Some of the frozen accounts contain millions of euros.
Supreme Court Judge Ioannis Ioannidis disagreed with the applicants' position that with the approval of the Application for Freezing and the issuance of the Preservation Decree, both the evidentiary and the substantive burden of proof were overturned. He also disagreed with the position that the proceedings initiated by the Attorney General of the Republic of Cyprus constitute proceedings against a company in liquidation. The interests of the Bank or its depositors are in no way affected by this temporary measure. What was decided by the issuance of the contested decree is only the freezing of the accounts that the applicants maintain in the specific Bank and nothing else.
In rejecting the application, the Court indicated that the applicants had or still have the opportunity to initiate proceedings before the lower Court, and possibly obtain the setting aside and/or differentiation of the provisional order issued. "In other words, I find that it is possible to provide a complete and equally effective treatment by the lower Court. In any case, if the decision of the lower court does not satisfy the applicants, there is also the right of appeal, the trial of which may be expedited."
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A large fire broke out on Tuesday morning in the area of Limnatis, in the province of Limassol, causing the immediate mobilization of firefighting forces.
According to the spokesman of the Department of Forests, Glafkos Kyriakou, the fire was brought under control at 12:40 noon, while it seems that it broke out from sparks produced during the use of a metal cutting tool (smirill).
To extinguish it, as he said, the "Astrapi" Plan was activated. Strong ground forces of the Department of Forests are operating in the area with 7 vehicles, a tanker, two earth pushers, 45 people, reinforced by five vehicles of the Fire Service, while five aircraft, two firefighting helicopters and three aircraft have been thrown into the battle to extinguish the fire.
"Fortunately, we prevented the fire and it has been demarcated," noted Mr. Kyriakou and added that mainly agricultural land was burned, while wild vegetation was also affected.
The causes of the fire will be investigated with its complete extinguishing, added the spokesman of the Department of Forests.
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On 2/8/2026, officials of the Customs Department, as part of the usual checks they carry out for the implementation of the Green Line Regulation at the Deryneia Crossing Point, stopped a Turkish Cypriot taxi-type vehicle which was transporting a passenger of Israeli nationality to Larnaca Airport.
During the check carried out on the travel luggage of the Israeli passenger, 14 boxes of 200 cigarettes or each one were found, which did not bear the marking for the harmfulness of smoking in Greek and Turkish, nor the safety feature and the unique traceability code, indications that they were duty-free.
The tobacco products were confiscated and will follow the prescribed destruction procedure. The person involved was initially arrested for the self-inflicted offenses, while he was later released, after his proposal for an out-of-court settlement of the case, with the payment of an amount of €840 was accepted.
