Police and other state services remain on constant alert over possible terrorist threats, particularly following developments in the Middle East, Police Spokesman Vyron Vyronos told CNA.
Vyronos said the exchange of information and cooperation with foreign security services were helping authorities identify, at an early stage, individuals who may be planning terrorist acts.
Referring to a terrorism-related investigation in Cyprus, he said four people were currently in custody. He declined to comment on reports concerning the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect in Greece, who is believed to be linked to the case.
Vyronos said the Republic of Cyprus maintains close cooperation with European Union member states, other countries and international organisations, including Europol and Interpol, as part of efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.
Asked by CNA about the arrest of the 37-year-old terrorism suspect in Crete, and reports that Greek authorities had acted on information from Cyprus, Vyronos said he could not go into details. He noted, however, that cooperation with Greek authorities was ongoing, as it was with other services.
“The case is being investigated in Cyprus and four people are in custody,” he said.
Asked about the level of readiness of the Cyprus Police to deal with possible terrorist acts, Vyronos said police and the other services of the Republic had been in a state of constant vigilance for some time, especially since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East.
“There is cooperation with other services abroad, information is exchanged in line with established bilateral agreements, the situation is being monitored and actions are being taken so that persons who may intend to carry out any terrorist act on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus can be identified in time,” he said.
Vyronos stressed that he could not provide further information on the matter, citing national security. He assured the public, however, that the authorities of the Republic remained alert to identify any threat.
Asked whether the planned Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, often referred to as the “Cyprus FBI”, would play a leading role in dealing with terrorist threats, Vyronos said that although it had not yet been formally established, the services that will make up the directorate had not stopped working in this direction and would continue to do so once it is set up.
On international cooperation against terrorist threats, the police spokesman said Cypriot authorities had immediate and full cooperation with EU countries and others, both bilaterally and through organisations such as Interpol and Europol.
Source: CNA
