Pafos Live 14/10
The Police arrested 7 people as suspects for the brutal beating of a 16-year-old, in an area of Nicosia on Friday night.
According to the Police, these are 6 minors, from 15 to 18 years old and an adult, 21 years old.
All 7 face the offenses of assault and causing bodily harm.
Today they are expected to be brought before the Nicosia District Court.
Their arrest was made after the victim's testimony to investigators yesterday, while some of the perpetrators were identified by a video of the beating, which was posted on social media.
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Filenews
The British Bases Police (BB) made 28 arrests during operations carried out in the last seven days, both on the eastern and western sides of the island.
Of these, 22 arrests were made in the western regions of the BB, of which five related to drug-related offenses and one arson investigation case, which took place on October 11 in Trachoni.
Police officials confirmed that a man was arrested in connection with the incident, who was detained until October 22, when he is expected to appear before the Court.
The five arrests for drug cases came after police operations carried out on October 8 and 9, in Trachoni and Ypsonas respectively.
In Trachoni, two persons were arrested, after 35 grams of substances believed to be cannabis and cocaine were found, as well as other items received as evidence for further examination.
The two persons were released on bail and are expected to appear before the Court at a later date.
The next day, a second operation was carried out in Ypsonas, following an information assessment, with the aim of combating suspected drug trafficking.
During the operation, three persons were arrested, while quantities of substances believed to be cannabis, weighing 20 grams, and cocaine, weighing six grams, were found. Two additional smaller amounts of a substance believed to be cocaine were also found.
The three persons were released on bail and are expected to appear before the Court again in the near future.
The remaining 15 arrests related to traffic offences, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as driving by persons who had been deprived of the right to hold a driving licence.
Police Officer Melina Papagrigoriou stated:
"It has been a particularly demanding and unpredictable week for the members of our Police. These arrests demonstrate our commitment to fighting drug-related illegal activity, investigating serious crimes, and resolutely addressing those who violate traffic laws."
In the eastern areas of the BB, members of the Police proceeded to arrest six persons for various offenses. Specifically, one person was arrested for offenses of harassing and harassment, two for possession of small amounts of controlled drugs and three for traffic offenses.
At the same time, the Police's special team for combating illegal bird trapping proceeded to investigate two cases, after locating and seizing a total of four bird trapping nets, eight metal stakes, a bird sound imitation device and a loudspeaker, which were used to attract migratory birds.
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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, 10 persons were arrested for various offenses, including theft, illegal employment, causing malicious damage, extortion of money by false representations, drunkenness and causing concern.
As part of these operations, during the night, 447 drivers and 101 passengers were stopped and checked. At the same time, 35 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of dealing with phenomena of delinquency, where five complaints emerged.
During traffic checks carried out, 251 complaints were made, concerning various traffic violations, while 13 investigated cases of traffic violations also emerged.
Of the complaints made, 111 concerned exceeding the speed limit, while as part of the police examinations, 13 vehicles were detained.
129 alcohol tests were carried out, which resulted in four complaints, as well as a preliminary drug test, without a 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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A 48-year-old defendant for the bloody incidents that took place on January 17 in Larnaca responded today to the charges he faces. Six people were brought to trial in the case, while two more are still wanted.
The defendants appeared before the Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca today in connection with the case of the bloody incidents that took place on January 17 in Larnaca.
Six persons were brought before the Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca, while two more, aged 26 and 27, are still wanted.
Today, the 48-year-old defendant responded by not admitting to the charges he is facing.
The case was set for a hearing on December 1.
The accused are a 20-year-old man, two 26-year-olds, 32 years old, 33 years old and 48 years old.
The four are recognized political refugees from Jordan and Palestine, while the 48-year-old holds Cypriot citizenship.
The defendants face charges such as conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transportation of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, extortion, demanding property with threats, participation in a criminal organization, assault causing actual bodily harm.
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The Court of Appeal doubled the prison sentence of a 26-year-old man, who burned a vehicle in Nicosia due to jealousy, partially accepting the appeal of the Attorney General against the first instance decision. The sentence was increased from one to two years in prison, but the suspension of its execution was maintained, as it was judged that the personal circumstances of the convicted person and his practical remorse justified the provision of a second chance.
In its unanimous decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the initial sentence was insufficient, as the Court of First Instance did not properly assess the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances under which it was committed. The case concerned arson of a motor vehicle, an offense for which a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison is provided.
According to the facts presented to the Court, the 26-year-old had seen his girlfriend kissing the man who owned the vehicle in August 2023. On the night of November 7, 2023, while walking outside the restaurant where this person worked, he decided to proceed with the arson.
He took a bottle of gasoline from the basement of the apartment building where he lived and walked to the parking lot where he knew the vehicle was. There he set fire to the car and then threw his water bottle and clothes in a part of his neighborhood.
The Court of First Instance had imposed a one-year prison sentence, suspending its execution, taking into account the defendant's clean criminal record, his immediate admission and his cooperation with the Police. He had also considered that the act was committed without premeditation, under the influence of jealousy and anger, and that it was not part of actions intended to intimidate or serve other purposes.
The Court of Appeal held, however, that this approach was incorrect. As he indicated, the time that elapsed from the incident that caused the jealousy to the day of the arson, as well as the actions that preceded it, did not justify the characterization of the act as an action "in the heat of the moment".
At the same time, he stressed that jealousy could not be considered a mitigating factor, while the circumstances of the offense had to be assessed as aggravating. The arson occurred at about 1.30 a.m., in a parking lot in the center of Nicosia, with an obvious danger to both the public and adjacent property.
The Court underlined that arson is by its nature a serious offense, due to the risks it poses to property and human lives, pointing out the need to impose dissuasive penalties.
In determining the new sentence, the Court of Appeal took into account that the convicted person had arranged for full and immediate compensation for the damage. He also took into account his clean criminal record, his young age, his professional training and the fact that he worked for a number of years without employing the authorities.
Despite the increase in the sentence, the Court of Appeal rejected the second ground of appeal of the Attorney General, which concerned the suspension of its execution. It considered that the 26-year-old's practical remorse, his previous life and his conduct after the commission of the offense, as well as the fact that he had now joined a stable and harmonious cohabitation, cumulatively justified the decision to give him a second chance.
The appeal was therefore partially accepted, with the prison sentence increased to two years, but the suspension of its execution remaining in force.
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The Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation is calling for the immediate investigation of a complaint published on social media regarding the alleged abuse of a cat in a school in Limassol.
According to what is stated in the post, a group of boys allegedly kicked and abused the kitten, which, despite the intervention of a girl and his transfer to a veterinarian, allegedly succumbed to his injuries.
The Movement emphasizes that the real facts must be ascertained by the Limassol District Animal Police and asks, if the complaints are confirmed, to investigate the role of the school and to take appropriate pedagogical measures.
The announcement follows as it is:
A post was published on social media in which reference is made to a particularly serious and disturbing incident that allegedly happened in a school in Limassol. According to what is stated in the post, a group of boys allegedly kicked and brutally abused a small kitten, which, despite the efforts of a girl to save it, by taking it to a veterinarian, unfortunately succumbed to its injuries.
The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation expresses its disgust and deep sorrow for this information. Since, however, this is an incident that has been disclosed through a post on social media, we expect its full investigation by the Limassol District Animal Police, in order to establish the real facts and assign responsibilities, if the complaints are confirmed.
Violence against animals is not a game, a joke or a show of force. It is an unacceptable behavior that cannot be tolerated or treated with indifference. The protection of defenseless animals is an indicator of culture, humanity and social responsibility.
Special mention should be made of the girl who, according to the post, intervened to stop the abuse and tried to save the kitten. His attitude exemplifies courage, empathy, and respect for life. It proves that sensitivity and responsibility can manifest even in the most difficult moments.
As the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation, we emphasize that:
- The incident must be thoroughly investigated by the competent authorities.
- The role of the school must be examined and appropriate pedagogical measures must be taken, if the facts are confirmed.
- Family and school have a crucial role to play in cultivating respect for all forms of life, preventing violence and taking responsibility for our actions.
- Animal welfare education must be substantially strengthened in schools, so that children learn from an early age that the abuse of a defenseless creature is not acceptable.
We should not expect a child to intervene on their own to stop the violence. We must, as parents, teachers and society, create an environment where respect, empathy and protection of the weak are self-evident values.
Violence must not be normalized. Silence is not a solution. And no animal deserves to suffer at the hands of humans.
The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation will continue to defend the protection and welfare of animals, claiming a society with more humanity, responsibility and respect for every living creature.
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In order to complete the preparation of the admissible facts of the case, an issue on which the Prosecution and the defense agreed, the trial of the 58-year-old accused of the murder of 26-year-old Alexandros Antoniou in Konia, Paphos, was postponed today. The Criminal Court decided to postpone the trial to January 27 of the new year. The 58-year-old defendant will continue to be held in the Central Prison until then.
Today's proceedings at the Paphos Criminal Court took place in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends of the victim and the accused, as well as other citizens who filled the room where the case is being tried, while the accused was transferred under strict measures and a large police escort to Paphos from the capital.
At the beginning of today's session, the Prosecuting Authority requested a postponement in order to agree and record the admissible facts for which there is no disagreement. The 58-year-old's defense agreed with the request, pointing out that additional time is needed to prepare the admissible facts, in order to limit the time for the trial of the case.
The preparation of the admissible facts, as mentioned, is expected to significantly reduce the number of witnesses who will testify, which is currently estimated at about 100 people. The bench accepted the request and set the start of the trial for January 27, 2027.
The Prosecution, citing the seriousness of the offenses and the risk of the accused not appearing before the Court, requested that he remain in custody until the new hearing, a request to which his defense attorney did not object.
The fatal knife injury of Alexandros Antoniou was committed early in the evening of November 19, 2025 in Konia, Paphos. According to the data of the case, genetic material found in the back of the driver's seat, where the victim was sitting, was identified by the Institute of Genetics and attributed to the 58-year-old accused. At the same time, the forensic examination showed that the death of the young man was caused by a blow with a nyssus and a cutting instrument in the area of the carotid artery.
The 58-year-old defendant responded to the charge of premeditated murder for the death of the young man, admitting the charge of carrying a knife. His defense claims that the real facts are not disputed by the defense, but considers that the case concerns homicide and not premeditated murder.
After the non-admission to the main charge of premeditated murder, the case is led to a full hearing, during which the evidence of the Prosecution and the positions of the defense are expected to be examined.
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Today's (13/10) hearing before the Limassol Criminal Court for the murder of 45-year-old Giannis Argyros was postponed, as the 52-year-old defendant stated that he was not feeling well, after an injury he suffered during his transport from the Central Prison in a police van.
According to information from "F", the accused complained of a shoulder injury, claiming that he was hurt during transport. The incident took place on the way to the Limassol District Court, where the accused was due to appear before the Criminal Court.
As we were told, the transport vehicle allegedly stopped abruptly at traffic lights, causing the 52-year-old to lose his balance and fall. Subsequently, he was requested to be transferred to the Limassol Hospital for medical examinations, as a result of which it was not possible to continue the hearing.
It is recalled that the 52-year-old denies the charge of premeditated murder for the death of Giannis Argyros, who was murdered in the early hours of May 4, 2025.
