A 36‑year‑old man was remanded in custody for eight days on Thursday in connection with charges of kidnapping and threats made against two women with a knife in a Larnaca apartment.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday and brought before the Larnaca District Court on Thursday, which issued the eight‑day remand order.
He is suspected of committing offences including abduction/kidnapping with intent to restrict liberty, abduction/kidnapping with intent to cause actual bodily harm, threats of violence, assault causing actual bodily harm, psychological violence, possession of a knife, and unlawful entry.
At around 3.30pm on Wednesday, police responded to an incident in an apartment building in Larnaca where a man appeared on the balcony shouting threats while holding a knife. It was determined that the man was inside the apartment with two women whom he was threatening.
Police officers secured the scene, and the incident was handled by negotiators from the Larnaca Police Directorate, as well as a negotiator team from Nicosia and members of the anti-terror unit MMAD.
The man was arrested and taken to Larnaca CID for further questioning. The two women were transported to hospital as a precaution for medical examinations.
George Charalambous, head of Larnaca CID, said police received a call from a neighbour reporting that a man, in a state of agitation, was holding two women hostage in an apartment and threatening them with a knife, saying he would harm them.
Charalambous said police arrived immediately, took all necessary measures, and cordoned off the scene. “The protocol was activated and negotiators from Larnaca and a negotiator team from Nicosia were dispatched,” he added.
“A counterterrorism unit was also called to the scene as a precaution. Negotiations began, during which police first secured the release of one woman, and then, following further negotiation, rescued the second,” he said.
The suspect was arrested. The two victims suffered minor injuries, while the suspect was uninjured. The case is being investigated by Larnaca CID.
When asked whether the suspect explained his actions, Charalambous said: “The suspect appears to be a visitor to the area and at this stage has not provided an explanation, as he seems to be in a condition in which he cannot communicate. This is something we are investigating.”
Source: CNA