Police are continuing their investigation into a bomb placed at a telecommunications shop in Mesa Geitonia, Limassol, with three people in custody and two more being sought.
Investigators are searching for the person who allegedly delivered the explosive device and another person who, according to evidence presented during remand proceedings at Limassol District Court, is believed to have been involved in the case.
The three suspects are aged 20, 22 and 28.
Investigators have linked the bombing to a complaint filed by AEL with police over the alleged manipulation of its match against APOEL.
CCTV footage formed a key part of the investigation. Investigators told the court that the motorcycle allegedly used by the person who placed the bomb was recorded at the Polemidia roundabout before heading north.
They said the same motorcycle was seen at about 3am on 30 September parked near the 22-year-old suspect’s home in Lofou.
Later that day, police received information that a large motorcycle without registration plates had been abandoned on a pavement in the Agios Georgios Havouzas area. Checks on its chassis number showed that it was registered to the 28-year-old suspect.
Officers went to the area, but the motorcycle had already been moved. A pair of trainers found nearby was taken for forensic examination.
Further CCTV footage showed the motorcycle being moved at about 1pm on 30 September by a person wearing a helmet, black trousers, grey trainers, an orange top and a black sweatshirt with yellow detailing, investigators told the court.
The motorcycle was followed by a vehicle registered to a relative of the 20-year-old suspect but, according to investigators, used exclusively by him.
Investigators said that when the motorcycle was parked in the Agios Georgios Havouzas area, the rider was not wearing a helmet and the face of the 22-year-old suspect could be seen.
At about 2.30pm, the same vehicle returned to the area where the motorcycle had been left. Investigators said a person wearing the same clothes as the 22-year-old got out from the passenger side.
The court was also told that the 22-year-old had recently been arrested in connection with public disorder offences following the APOEL-AEL match outside GSP Stadium on 6 September.
Limassol CID investigators told the court that information received on 2 October identified the 22-year-old as the person allegedly responsible for placing the bomb.
According to the same information, the act was organised jointly with the other two suspects following meetings and communications between them.
Police later searched the 22-year-old’s home and found the motorcycle. At the 20-year-old’s home, officers found the vehicle seen in the CCTV footage. Police searched it and seized several items for further examination.
All three suspects declined to answer questions about the case before consulting their lawyers.
Police are investigating suspected conspiracy to commit a felony, attempted destruction of property and unlawful possession and transport of explosives.
According to evidence gathered by police, the person who placed the bomb also tried unsuccessfully to start a fire before leaving on the motorcycle. The person later returned and made a second unsuccessful attempt to start a fire.
