Detention orders for four suspects in an ongoing terrorism investigation were renewed during two separate closed-door hearings held before the Larnaca District Court.
The suspects include two men, aged 32 and 38, who are alleged to be linked to large quantities of explosive-making materials, as well as two other men, aged 54 and 57, who are believed to have acted as associates.
The 54-year-old and 57-year-old appeared before the court on Saturday, where their detention was extended by five days during a closed hearing.
In a separate hearing on Sunday, prosecutors requested a second extension of the detention orders for the two suspects, aged 32 and 38, who are being investigated for terrorism-related offences and participation in a criminal organisation. The court granted a further four-day detention period.
According to investigators, one of the suspects allegedly admitted that Israelis would have been the intended target, although no specific location for a potential attack was identified.
Authorities believe the 32-year-old and 38-year-old may have played key roles in the case and are examining whether they were working with additional individuals in Cyprus.
The 32-year-old, who has lived in Cyprus for several years, has been linked to both a house in Governor’s Beach and an apartment in the Kamares area of Larnaca, where he lived with his family.
Investigators discovered materials that can be used in the manufacture of explosives at both properties, including ammonium nitrate. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that some of the chemicals originated from the Cypriot market.
The 38-year-old suspect has also been linked to the materials. Investigators believe he was residing illegally in Cyprus and may have entered the Republic through the occupied areas.
The first large quantity of explosive-related materials was discovered at the Governor’s Beach property on May 21. Two days later, a second significant quantity was found in a second-floor apartment in the Kamares area, which had been under surveillance.
All seized materials have been sent for specialised forensic examination. According to an informed source, the scientific analyses are expected to be completed within the coming days.
Source: Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
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