Two prominent businessmen and an incarcerated soldier are among 11 people arrested following a series of coordinated raids in Larnaca, as authorities investigate an alleged protection racket linked to a brazen city-centre shooting just 100 metres from police headquarters.
The suspects, comprising seven Greek Cypriots and four foreign nationals, were detained after Larnaca CID and the Drug Law Enforcement Unit targeted multiple locations. The operation marks a significant escalation in the investigation into last Saturday’s unprecedented violence, which saw a 48-year-old Cypriot national — the alleged leader of a rival group — hospitalised with head injuries. That individual is one of six already in custody after a complainant alleged the group demanded 7,000 Euros followed by monthly 1,000 Euro “protection” payments.
The two businessmen, aged 47 and 43, are expected to appear before the Larnaca District Court today to face charges of conspiracy and interfering in a judicial process. During a raid at the 47-year-old’s offices, officers seized a substantial amount of cash and bank cheques, while also arresting three men aged between 38 and 50 who were allegedly acting as unlicensed security guards.
Police also raided the Central Prisons to arrest a 22-year-old contract soldier. The soldier is already awaiting trial for the attempted murder of the 47-year-old businessman targeted in yesterday’s raids — an attack carried out in the Dromolaxia industrial area last July. He now faces new charges regarding participation in a criminal organisation alongside five other individuals.
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Businessman among 10 held after Larnaca police raid targets organised crime
