The Paphos District Court will announce on Wednesday whether to detain four suspects arrested on Sunday for illegal possession of property and offensive weapons. The suspects appeared before the court on Monday afternoon, which ordered them to remain in custody until its decision.
Evidence against the suspects
Investigators reported that evidence suggests suspects 2, 3, and 4 were involved in illegal possession of property, while suspect 1 also faces charges of illegal possession of an offensive weapon.
Police arrived at a property around 21:20 on Sunday following information about a meeting of organised crime members. They found the first suspect, a 43-year-old from Larnaca, outside. A search revealed a knuckle duster in his waist bag, and he was arrested.
The second suspect, also from Larnaca, carried €3,000 without explaining its origin and was arrested for illegal possession of property. The third suspect had €5,000, and the fourth, aged 30, carried €12,810; both were taken into custody.
Suspects’ statements
The first suspect claimed he is unemployed and receives social benefits, attributing the money to his allowance and the knuckle duster to a local purchase.
The second suspect said he is a tourist staying in a Larnaca hotel. Regarding the money found in his possession, he stated that he brought it from abroad for his holiday. He also said that on 8/2/26 he travelled by bus to Paphos to eat at the specific establishment.
The fourth suspect’s statement has not yet been taken in his native language; his lawyer requested a translator.
Ongoing investigations
Police are at the early stages of their investigation, having taken three statements so far, with 25 more planned. They will verify the social benefit claims of suspects 1 and 3, examine the hotel mentioned by suspect 2, check bus stops in Larnaca and Paphos, and interview the fourth suspect with a translator. Surveillance footage around the restaurant will be reviewed to trace the suspects’ movements and any accomplices.
Authorities stressed that releasing the suspects could compromise witness testimony and hinder the investigation. Defence lawyers contested the detention, arguing the prosecutor’s evidence does not justify it.
Also read: Paphos raid: Four arrested, items seized
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