The Larnaca District Court issued an eight-day remand order on Monday against five Greek Cypriots, aged 22 to 43 from Larnaca district, one of whom is a detainee at the Central Prisons, on suspicion they are members of a criminal organisation. The five suspects were brought before the court for remand purposes last Friday, but the decision was not taken until yesterday.
According to police, all five are suspected of involvement in a criminal organisation which, over the past three years, has systematically engaged in providing protection to nightlife venues in Larnaca and in drug trafficking. The offences under investigation include conspiracy to commit a felony, extortion, demanding property with threats, and money laundering.
Police consider a key figure in the case to be the 22-year-old contract soldier of the National Guard, currently detained at the Central Prisons, pending a case of attempted murder before the Larnaca Assize Court. The attempted murder was committed last July against a well-known businessman. On his mobile phones, investigators reportedly discovered various videos in which he appears to display large sums of money, refer to income derived from protection rackets at nightclubs, and record locations where he is allegedly hiding suspicious items believed to be drugs.
Police investigations into the case are ongoing. More than 30 statements are expected to be taken from the suspects’ friends, family members and professional contacts, as well as from nightclub owners and licensed security guards. The five suspects will be questioned further, their mobile phones will undergo forensic examination, and their telecommunications data will be accessed.
According to the police, the evidence gathered so far indicates cooperation between the 22-year-old contract soldier and the 43-year-old suspect, who is alleged to be the “leader” of the criminal organisation operating in Larnaca in protection rackets and drug trafficking. As stated in court during the remand proceedings, financial investigations into the five suspects revealed zero or very low declared incomes, inconsistent with their luxurious lifestyle and the vehicles they are alleged to have used. Police believe that the proceeds of the alleged criminal activity are mainly handled in cash and may be stored in the suspects’ homes.
Two more days for 48-year-old
In a separate development, the Court yesterday extended for a further two days the detention of a 48-year-old man, a Cypriot national of third-country origin, in connection with the violent incident and gunfire that occurred on 17 January in central Larnaca, just a few metres from the police station. The procedure took place at Larnaca General Hospital, where the suspect is being treated after undergoing surgery, having sustained serious head injuries from blows received during the clash.
Five other individuals from Palestine and Jordan are also in custody in connection with the same incident. They are considered members of the 48-year-old’s “group”, which went to a car rental business on Grigori Afxentiou Avenue with the aim of demanding money for protection. The offences under investigation include conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transport of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, extortion, demanding property with threats, participation in a criminal organisation, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
On Wednesday, 28 January, all persons detained in relation to this case are expected to appear again before court. Three foreign nationals are still being sought in connection with the bloody incident of 17 January, as they have not yet been located.
The two businessmen released on bail
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the two businessmen, aged 43 and 47, who were detained on suspicion of attempting to interfere with a police investigation and judicial proceedings in relation to the 17 January incident, were released on bail under conditions.
The case against them was formally filed and they both entered pleas of not guilty to the charges of interference with judicial proceedings and conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour.
Each must post a cash guarantee of €80,000, their names have been placed on the stop list, they must surrender their travel documents, they are prohibited from crossing into the occupied areas, and they must report to police stations twice a week.
The case was scheduled for 11 March 2026.