Police have arrested a 49-year-old Greek Cypriot in connection with an investigation into an alleged criminal organisation operating in Larnaca district.
The suspect was arrested by the Famagusta Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of interference in judicial proceedings linked to the case being investigated by Larnaca CID.
The arrest follows the detention of four other suspects – three men aged 44, 42 and 49, and a 45-year-old woman – who were taken into custody last Wednesday during a coordinated police operation.
Investigators are examining offences allegedly committed in Larnaca and the wider district between 2021 and 2024.
Brother of detained businessman
According to police, the newly arrested 49-year-old is the brother of a 44-year-old businessman from Larnaca who is already being held in custody.
The two men are being investigated in relation to 14 alleged offences, including participation in a criminal organisation, conspiracy to commit felonies and misdemeanours, kidnapping-related offences, extortion, threats, obtaining property by false representations, unlawful possession and transportation of firearms and explosives, and money laundering.
The 42-year-old suspect is being investigated for 11 offences, including participation in a criminal organisation, extortion, threats, money laundering and breaches relating to large cash transactions.
Complaint filed in March
According to information presented before the court, the complaint was filed on 5 March 2026 by the alleged victim.
The complainant alleged that in December 2021 he and his brother-in-law sold two properties to a company in Pyla, receiving €250,000 each upon signing the contracts.
A month later, one of the suspects allegedly informed him that the properties had already been resold to another buyer for €8.5 million and claimed there was a €250,000 commission to be earned.
The complainant stated that he felt intimidated and subsequently handed over €40,000 in cash to an unknown individual.
Allegations of fraud and extortion
Court proceedings heard allegations that the complainant was later persuaded to invest in a betting shop venture in Larnaca, resulting in payments of €25,000 and a further €24,000.
The complainant also alleged that he was induced to hand over substantial sums of money through a relationship involving the 45-year-old suspect.
According to the allegations, various payments were requested for personal and family-related reasons, while threats were allegedly used to obtain additional funds.
Investigators claim that approximately €100,000 was obtained from the complainant over a two-year period.
The court also heard allegations that after the complainant refused a request for a further €5,000 payment, a gunshot was fired outside his residence. A bullet was later recovered and handed to police.
Court approves detention orders
Police told the court that significant investigative work remains outstanding, including obtaining additional witness statements and securing documentary evidence such as contracts of sale, cheques, payment receipts and cash transaction records.
Authorities argued there was a risk of witness interference and the concealment or destruction of evidence.
The court approved police requests to remand the 44-year-old, the newly arrested 49-year-old and the 45-year-old woman in custody for eight days.
A separate six-day detention order was issued for the 42-year-old suspect.
All allegations remain under investigation.
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