A 77-year-old Greek Cypriot man has reportedly been detained by authorities in the north after attempting to cross through the Ledra Street checkpoint, approximately one month after an alleged mobile phone theft at a casino in Nicosia.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Halkın Sesi, the man is accused of taking a mobile phone belonging to another individual at a casino within the walled city of Nicosia on 4 May.
Court appearance
The newspaper reported that the incident was captured on security cameras and that an arrest warrant was subsequently issued. However, the suspect was not located at the time, as he had returned to the government-controlled areas of the island.
The man was reportedly identified and detained when he re-entered the north on 1 June.
According to information presented before a court, the 77-year-old allegedly admitted taking the phone, stating that he had left it in his vehicle. A relative later handed the device over to the authorities, the court was told.
It was further reported that the man does not hold what authorities in the north described as legal residency status in the area.
The court ordered that he remain in detention for a period not exceeding seven days while the investigation and related procedures are completed.
No further details regarding potential charges or court proceedings have been made public.
