A 32-year-old Palestinian man at the centre of a Hamas network uncovered in Cyprus has confessed to being recruited by a Hamas member, purchasing materials for explosives and photographing targets across the island, according to information obtained by Phileleftheros.
The man has been living in Cyprus for several years with his wife and child. He is also said to have admitted that a 38-year-old Palestinian physics teacher was brought to Cyprus specifically to assemble explosive devices.
Cypriot authorities arrested both men on 21 May in an area near Pentakomo, acting on intelligence.
A third suspect — a 54-year-old Palestinian with Cypriot citizenship — was subsequently arrested for allegedly receiving packages containing dangerous substances on behalf of the 32-year-old. He denies any involvement.
His brother was also initially arrested but later released after no evidence emerged against him.
According to the confession attributed to the 32-year-old, a Hamas member based in Malaysia approached him with an offer of financial assistance.
He allegedly travelled abroad four times to receive instructions on purchasing materials for explosives and was promised a monthly salary for his services.
Two of those trips are under scrutiny — one to Malaysia and one to Istanbul. He is also said to have admitted photographing specific locations across Cyprus at the Hamas member’s request.
Police found large quantities of dangerous chemicals, equipment and dosimeters for making explosives at two properties linked to the 32-year-old — one at Governor’s Beach and one in the Kamares area of Larnaca. He was also connected to a third property in Kolossi, to which his recruiter had reportedly sent packages.
The 38-year-old physics teacher had entered the government-controlled areas through the occupied territories shortly before his arrest and had been living in Malaysia with his family.
He was staying at the Governor’s Beach property at the time of his arrest. He denied any involvement, claiming he came to Cyprus to seek asylum and had met the 32-year-old in Malaysia two years earlier.
His denials, however, received a significant challenge from an unexpected direction. A 37-year-old Palestinian arrested last Saturday in Agios Nikolaos, Crete — allegedly preparing terrorist attacks on Greek soil — independently named the physics teacher, claiming the two had trained together in explosives-making at a Hamas camp in Malaysia.
All three Cyprus suspects were brought before Larnaca District Court on Thursday under heavy security in closed-door proceedings and referred to trial before a Criminal Court sitting on 6 August.
The 54-year-old contested his detention, with the court reserving its decision. The other two did not challenge their remand.
The defendants face charges including terrorism, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation.
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Cyprus terror suspect met Hamas operative in Malaysia, confession reveals
