Twenty men armed with axes, crowbars, and a pistol attacked a Larnaca businessman in broad daylight Saturday, firing shots outside a fast-food restaurant on Grigori Afxentiou Avenue, just 100 metres from police headquarters.
The 3pm assault unfolded as shoppers watched vehicles halt and attackers emerge. The businessman and three others countered with axes and crowbars before two pistol shots rang out, missing targets. Video footage captured the chaos.
This follows three murder bids and vehicle arsons last summer, heightening a turf war over Larnaca’s protection racket.
Key suspect detained
Police arrested a 48-year-old Cypriot found wounded at hospital, allegedly orchestrating the violence. A multi-year prison veteran recently bailed on new charges, he faces eight-day remand.
Saturday’s attack stemmed from systematic extortion. Two weeks prior, his group phoned demanding €7,000 upfront plus €1,000 monthly “protection”; threats ensued per police complaint.
Around 2pm Saturday, a wanted group member brandished a knife at the business, renewing demands. An hour later, the 20-man convoy struck.
Extortion campaign details
The gang demanded payment; refusal sparked beatings, court documents state. The businessman, relative, and two friends grabbed tools for “proportional force” to defend safety and property. An attacker then fired twice outside the crowded outlet.
The racket spans Larnaca weeks-long. On 9 January, the 48-year-old and 15 others told an entertainment centre’s guards they were taking protection; refused. Next day, another nightclub accepted.
By 16 January, police learned nightclub owners paid €80 nightly per guard – €50 wages, €30 “protection” to the 48-year-old.
Police eyed his arrest Sunday for Friday’s Pyla beating of a European demanding protection money.
Wanted suspects and raids
Three foreign nationals aged 35, 26, and 20 remain wanted from his group. Larnaca CID identifies Saturday attackers; probes two 28- and 29-year-old foreigners.
Raid on their flat while hunting a wanted man seized eight 9mm military cartridges; pair remanded four days. A 26-year-old there was released – no link, coincidental presence.
Official response mounts
Justice Minister Fytiris visited Larnaca Police HQ twice on Sunday, second with Mayor Vyras. He announced emergency patrols in hotspots, terming it a persistent “battle”.
Vyras decried violence staining city progress, terrifying residents. Municipality aids police but organised crime is state duty; demands national action plan.
Police Director Ioannis Kapnoulas noted off-duty officers volunteered; patrols now constant.
President condemned episodes as unacceptable. Police target all involved; implicated foreigners face arrest, deportation, re-entry ban. Cypriots warrant “exemplary punishment”.
Source: Philenews
Also read: Organised crime in Cyprus: Police respond to Larnaca incidents
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