Three Palestinian suspects appeared under heavy security before Larnaca District Court on Thursday in connection with a major terrorism case uncovered in late May.
The men, aged 32, 38 and 54, were referred for trial before a permanent criminal court, which is scheduled to convene behind closed doors on August 6 in Larnaca. They face multiple charges, including terrorism and participation in a criminal organisation.
A fourth suspect, the brother of the 54-year-old, was released after authorities found no evidence linking him to the case.
The 32-year-old and 38-year-old are believed by investigators to be members of Hamas and are alleged to have been planning attacks on Israeli-linked targets in Cyprus. Authorities said the 54-year-old man had also been in contact with them.
The 38-year-old is considered a key figure in the case. He is believed to have entered the Republic of Cyprus irregularly in recent months, likely via the north. Investigators suspect he was tasked with preparing explosives and providing operational instructions.
He is also reportedly linked to the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Greece last Saturday, who is said to have admitted that he and the 38-year-old had trained together in the manufacture of explosives at a Hamas camp in Malaysia in August 2025. Greek media reported that the 37-year-old claimed he had been funded by the 38-year-old.
The 32-year-old suspect, who has lived in Cyprus for several years with his wife and child, is also linked to two properties in the areas of Governor’s Beach and Kamares in Larnaca district, where chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, were discovered. Authorities said some of the materials had been sourced locally in Cyprus.
