Police officers discharged a warning shot into the air during the arrest of a 56‑year‑old man in connection with an investigation into facilitating the illegal entry, transit and stay of third‑country nationals in the Republic.
Earlier, police said that at around 8:50 pm on Friday, members of the MMAD unit on patrol in the Dali-Lympia-Athienou area spotted a vehicle travelling from the buffer zone towards the government‑controlled areas.
The 56‑year‑old driver allegedly failed to stop for inspection and continued driving, before being intercepted in the Alambra area. According to police, the suspect attempted to flee again and collided with a patrol vehicle, bringing his car to a halt.
In a subsequent update, the police communications branch said officers used their service weapon, firing a warning shot into the air.
It is recalled that during checks, four other individuals were found in the vehicle, two women aged 32 and 29 and two minors aged 10 and 16, all third‑country nationals. The suspect reportedly told officers he was transporting them from the occupied to the government‑controlled areas.
The 56‑year‑old was arrested for offences committed in flagrante and appeared before the Nicosia District Court, which issued a six‑day detention order.
The two women and two minors were transferred to the reception centre in Kokkinotrimithia.
The case is being investigated by the Perachorio Police Station.
Source: CNA
