Two men have been referred to trial before the Assize Court, which will convene on 27 April, in connection with a case involving alleged torture and violent abuse of individuals at a casino in Pyla.
The referral was made by the Larnaca District Court. The defendants are a 48-year-old remand prisoner of Cypriot nationality, originally from a third country, and a 27-year-old man of Arab origin. Both were ordered to remain in custody until their appearance before the Assize Court.
The case came to light after investigators examined more than 3,000 videos found on mobile phones belonging to the 48-year-old, who is reported to have an extensive criminal record.
Multiple felony charges
The two accused face a large number of charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transportation of a firearm, inhuman and degrading treatment, abduction, kidnapping and unlawful deprivation of liberty with intent to cause grievous harm.
The 48-year-old, who faces a greater number of charges, is also accused of issuing threats and coercing the execution of a document.
A third foreign national remains at large in connection with the same case and is also alleged to have been involved in the violent incident that occurred on 17 January outside the central Larnaca Police Station.
According to the indictment, the alleged offences in the torture case were committed on different dates between June and September 2025 at a casino premises in Pyla.
Six identified victims
In some of the videos located by investigators from the Larnaca Criminal Investigation Department, the 48-year-old is allegedly seen placing a pistol in the mouths of victims in order to threaten them.
Six victims, both Cypriot and foreign nationals, have been identified. Most have provided statements to the police. Some were allegedly threatened over unpaid debts, while others were reportedly tortured in order to extract confessions regarding alleged criminal actions against the 48-year-old, who reportedly claimed there was a plot to assassinate him.
The 48-year-old defendant, along with four other foreign nationals from Palestine and Jordan, is also scheduled to appear before the Larnaca Assize Court on 16 March in relation to the unprecedented clash that took place on 17 January in central Larnaca, during which shots were fired.
According to police, the 48-year-old is alleged to have been the “leader” of the group that stormed a car rental business on Grigori Afxentiou Avenue, demanding money in exchange for protection. He is also facing a separate case involving the alleged assault of an individual in Pyla.