An arson attack damaged a restaurant in the Limassol Marina area early on Saturday, with police investigating a case of maliciously causing a fire.
The blaze broke out at around 5:15 a.m. at a restaurant owned by a businessman who had previously been the target of a criminal attack.
Assistant Limassol Police Director Lefteris Kyriakou said police received information that a fire had broken out at the premises. Fire Service crews and police patrols were immediately dispatched to the scene, which was cordoned off.
The Fire Service extinguished the blaze, which caused damage to the restaurant's frontage.
According to Kyriakou, preliminary examinations indicate that the fire was deliberately started using a flammable substance. Investigators are continuing searches in the area and gathering witness testimony that may help identify those responsible.
Asked about the previous case involving the businessman and whether he had reported receiving threats, Kyriakou said the businessman had provided certain information in an earlier statement and had made claims regarding disputes with specific individuals.
Those claims were investigated, but no positive result has so far emerged, he said.
The earlier case remains under investigation. Police are expected to obtain fresh statements from the businessman to determine whether any new threats had been made or whether additional information could assist the inquiry.
Authorities also expect to complete his statement regarding Saturday's incident to establish whether he suspects any particular individual.
Source: CNA
