Five men have been sent for trial before the Permanent Criminal Court of Larnaca over a violent clash involving gunfire in the city centre.
The court will sit on 16 March. The case relates to an incident that took place on the afternoon of 17 January in central Larnaca.
Those facing trial are a 48-year-old Cypriot national and four foreign nationals from Jordan and Palestine, aged 26, 26, 32 and 20. The 48-year-old is described by police as the alleged leader of the criminal group.
All five face multiple serious charges. These include conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession and transfer of a firearm, illegal possession of explosives, extortion, demanding property with threats, participation in a criminal organisation, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Police are also searching for three other foreign nationals, aged 27, 26 and 35, in connection with the same case. According to investigators, there is information suggesting they have fled abroad.
At the same time, two of the accused, the 48-year-old and one of the 26-year-olds, are also facing additional charges over a separate assault. This incident involved the beating of a 39-year-old Bulgarian national in Pyla during the early hours of 17 January, around 4am, just hours before the later events in Larnaca.
For that case, the two men are charged with causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, threats, and carrying a knife. A 27-year-old is also wanted in relation to this incident.
The prosecution has requested that all defendants remain in custody. Proceedings on their detention continue before the District Court, after defence lawyers objected to their remand in custody.
According to police allegations, the accused are members of a criminal group that approached a businessman who operates premises on Grigori Afxentiou Avenue. The group is said to have initially demanded €7,000 for protection, followed by a monthly payment of €1,000.
The complainant told investigators that he was first contacted by phone by a man of Arab origin, who is now wanted by police, and was asked for money. He later reported receiving threats by phone. On Saturday, 17 January, the same individual allegedly went to the premises and threatened the businessman with a knife.
Shortly after 3pm that day, several vehicles reportedly arrived at high speed. Around 20 people got out and again demanded money. When the businessman refused, they are alleged to have assaulted him.
The complainant, together with a relative and two friends, reacted and fought back, reportedly using an axe and metal bars. During the confrontation, two shots were fired outside a fast-food outlet. Police say a pistol was allegedly held by a member of the 48-year-old’s group.
As part of the investigation, Larnaca CID also arrested two businessmen aged 47 and 43. They allegedly met the complainant and asked him to change his statement.
The two men were referred to trial yesterday on charges of interfering with judicial proceedings. They have been released under conditions.