Authorities arrested an Azerbaijani man on Friday on terrorism charges following intelligence that he was planning an imminent terrorist attack, with the suspect appearing before Limassol District Court on Friday morning for a detention hearing.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATA) headquarters made the arrest after receiving highly classified and reliable intelligence from a cooperating foreign service on 20 June 2025. The proceedings are being conducted behind closed doors due to the nature of the case.
According to information obtained by philenews, the intelligence indicated the suspect has been in Cyprus collecting information since April 2025 regarding the presence of foreign military forces on the island and may be planning an immediate terrorist attack.
The suspect is allegedly a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, according to the same intelligence sources.
Physical surveillance conducted since June 2025 by a cooperating service established that the suspect resides in a flat in Zakaki, Limassol, an area neighbouring the British Bases.
During surveillance, the suspect was observed moving on foot near the British Bases, carrying a large camera with telephoto lens almost daily, as well as three mobile phones.
He appeared to be taking photographs with both his phones and other electronic devices, repeatedly recording suspicious movements whilst also keeping written notes.
The suspect was further observed travelling by bus from Limassol to Paphos, then taking another bus near “Andreas Papandreou” air base, where he moved suspiciously whilst taking various photographs, raising suspicions of military installation espionage.
He faces charges of terrorism, espionage, conspiracy to commit a felony and other related offences.
