Five foreign nationals arrested in connection with the terrorism case uncovered in Cyprus will stand trial before the Larnaca Assize Court.
The five defendants, aged 32, 33, 38, 41 and 54, were committed for direct trial on Thursday by the Larnaca District Court. The Assize Court is scheduled to convene on 14 October.
The proceedings lasted several hours and were held behind closed doors under strict security measures.
The court ordered that all five remain in custody until their first appearance before the Assize Court, citing the seriousness of the case.
A lawyer representing the 54-year-old defendant objected to his continued detention, arguing that his client has ties to the Republic of Cyprus and is a permanent resident of the island. The court rejected the request.
Fifteen charges
The defendants face a total of 15 charges, including:
- Terrorism offences.
- Conspiracy to commit murder.
- Conspiracy to commit a felony.
- Participation in and acceptance of the commission of crimes.
- Travelling outside the Republic for the purpose of committing acts of terrorism.
- Possession of explosive precursors without a licence.
- Money laundering.
- Providing support to a terrorist organisation.
According to the indictment, security authorities are investigating alleged links between the defendants and a terrorist organisation, as well as activities which, according to the prosecution, were aimed at Israeli interests in the Republic of Cyprus.
Fifth suspect added last month
The fifth defendant was added to the case only last month.
The 41-year-old, a national of a third country, was located in an Asian country and brought to Cyprus following a coordinated operation by authorities.
Investigators are examining his alleged role in the case, as well as possible links with other individuals.
Support for Hamas?
According to police, the five defendants are accused of conspiring to provide support to Hamas, which allegedly assigned them a specific mission targeting Israeli interests in Cyprus.
All five are alleged to have been members of a well-organised network that recruited Palestinians to carry out terrorist attacks on European soil.
Security authorities consider the 41-year-old, who had been living in Indonesia and was arrested last July, to have been the leader of the network in Cyprus.
The suspect is believed to have previously lived in Malaysia and to have issued instructions to the other alleged members of the network.
